William Ruto's terror trap

A wave of terror is sweeping across the country. Ordinary citizens are looking over their shoulders or mumbling in whispers when discussing sensitive matters in public.  Government critics live in constant fear, unsure when masked men in unregistered vehicles will pounce on them. Clerics, too, are fearful when they shepherd their flock from the pulpit. 

Among journalists, cartoonists, Opposition leaders, judges, magistrates, and human rights defenders, fear and anxiety have become the new norm following the takeover of what had previously been safe streets and modes of protest by goons who do not fear the police and operate with impunity.

And while this chokehold tightens on the various aspects of Kenyans' lives, the State is doubling down its grip on dissent, attempting to silence anti-government voices during the funerals of police brutality victims.

Journalists are increasingly afraid to cover such events, with hired goons often deployed to disrupt press briefings by activists and lobby groups. Meanwhile, magistrates and judges who deliver rulings perceived to be unfavourable to the government have become targets of backlash. Politicians, too, resorted to discreet channels of communication, wary of State surveillance.

On Thursday, there was drama in Meru when the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) stormed a burial ceremony for 23-year-old James Gachara, who was shot dead during protests. The sleuths attempted to block anti-government remarks during the burial, but the clergy thwarted their efforts.

The DCI officers had instructed the presiding Master of Ceremonies to permit only close family members to speak and to steer clear of any controversial comments. But in a defiant move, the church, through the presiding father, invited a human rights defender to address the gathering before delivering the sermon and relaying a message to the government to stop police brutality.

This was one of the many cases where the state increased police presence and took measures to control public remarks critical of the government, a move that has been interpreted as a ploy to infringe on freedom of expression and assembly.

At the same time, this week, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen criticised the decision of the Judiciary to give suspects accused of storming a public hospital in Kitengela a Sh50,000 cash bail despite he gravity of the crime.

 “After invading a hospital and interrupting a Caesarian Section (CS) operation, only Sh50,000 was granted as cash bail. These lenient bail terms are unacceptable,” Murkomen said.

Critics have described Murkomen’s remarks as an overreach of his mandate and an attempt to intimidate and control the Judiciary so as to play to the tune of the government.

Former Attorney General Justin Muturi condemned Murkomen’s remarks, terming them insensitive and callous.

“I found it very callous and insensitive for the CS for Interior to complain about the bail terms being given to the people taken to the courts. As a lawyer, he ought to know that bail or bond is not a punishment. It is merely meant to secure the attendance of the person who is charged whenever they are required to appear,” he said.

President Ruto was equally unhappy as he hit out at the Judiciary following a court ruling that barred the Inspector General of Police from erecting roadblocks within the Nairobi Central Business District.

In a dismissive tone, the Head of State questioned the logic behind the ruling by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, arguing that the ruling undermined efforts to protect life and property.

“There is a person in the courts who says the Inspector General of Police should not use teargas, water cannons and erect roadblocks to protect the property and lives of other Kenyans. The person saying so has police officers guarding his home, he has police officers guarding his property,” President Ruto said.

According to Muturi, the President’s remarks are a strategy to instil fear in the independence of the Judiciary and are specifically directed to the individual judges presiding over cases where the government is involved.

“It is akin to reminding the judges that they enjoy State protection, which can be removed. The President forgets that it is their right to enjoy the protection which is guaranteed by the Constitution,” the Democratic Party leader said.

Two weeks ago, journalists, human rights defenders and mothers of killed or disappeared youth, who had converged at the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) offices in Lavington, Nairobi, were roughed up by goons believed to be linked to pro-government politicians.

About 20 masked men wielding wooden clubs forced their way into the compound after breaking the gate and storming the building, and started beating them as they sang freedom songs.

Phones and laptops were stolen, and fear gripped attendees who scattered in all directions seeking safety. The goons issued threats and demanded the immediate dispersal of the gathering.

Journalists’ phones, cameras, laptops, and mobile phones were stolen while their cars were broken into, while women human rights defenders were threatened with ‘slitting of their breasts’.

Salma Twalib, a human rights defender from Badili Africa, gave a chilling account:

“One of the goons threatened to slit my breasts. If mothers can be attacked in a human rights commission office, who in this country is safe?”

Twalib said she no longer feels safe at home as some of the attackers addressed her by name.