Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja has sought to allay fears of unrest ahead of the return of former Deputy President and Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua from the United States, describing the much-publicized arrival as an “ordinary” affair.
Speaking on Wednesday after a joint dialogue with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on training and capacity building, IG Kanja emphasized that the National Police Service is fully in charge of security arrangements and expects “normalcy” during Gachagua’s landing at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Thursday.
“No one is above the law when it comes to offences. If there are issues to be addressed, they will be dealt with accordingly,” Kanja told reporters, responding to questions on whether Gachagua will be required to record a statement with the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) over remarks he made abroad criticizing the government.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has already cautioned Gachagua and his supporters against disrupting public order, warning that intelligence reports point to planned chaos during his arrival.
The CS has indicated that the government is prepared to take legal action should the DCP mobilization—which calls for over one million supporters to throng JKIA—degenerate into lawlessness.
“The last time he was around, there were disruptions in the name of protests. We are prepared, and the National Police Service will protect citizens and their property,” Murkomen said in Murang’a County during the 30th Jukwaa la Usalama forum on Tuesday.
