NAIROBI, Kenya – The People’s Liberation Party (PLP), led by Martha Karua, has issued a condemnation of recent remarks by General Charles Kahariri, Chief of Defence Forces, terming them an affront to Kenya’s democratic principles and the 2010 Constitution.
In a statement, the party criticized General Kahariri’s comments as “alarming and deeply troubling,” accusing the military leader of overstepping his constitutional mandate by delving into partisan political discourse.
The General had reportedly criticized public chants of “Ruto Must Go,” which have become a symbol of dissent against President William Ruto’s administration.
“The sovereignty of the Kenyan people and the supremacy of the Constitution are matters firmly entrenched in our jurisprudence and political culture,” the PLP said in its statement.
“It is disturbing that the head of the armed forces would wade into political waters and seek to dictate how Kenyans should express their hard-won freedoms.”
The PLP defended the protest chants as legitimate expressions of public feedback and accused the Defence Chief of attempting to stifle dissent through intimidation.
Karua noted that such public expressions cannot be dismissed or diminished, stating, “They cannot be wished away by indirect threats or intimidation by our esteemed security men, who have no business admonishing Kenyans for their lawful feedback.”
The party has called on parliamentary committees to summon the country’s military leadership to explain what it termed an “assault on constitutionalism.”
The statement stressed that Kenya’s democratic fabric depends on the military remaining apolitical and safeguarding its neutrality.
“Partisan meddling by senior military officials undermines the trust and stability of our democratic institutions,” the statement added.
The PLP emphasized that General Kahariri should channel any concerns he has through proper institutional mechanisms, including the National Security Council, rather than public platforms.
This comes at a time of heightened political tension, with rising public dissatisfaction over the cost of living and governance issues.
Karua’s party warned that Kenya’s democratic progress must not be derailed by actions that could be perceived as a threat to civil liberties.
The PLP concluded its statement by urging all political and security actors to uphold the principles of democracy and rule of law, asserting that the country must not allow “unhealthy steps towards partisan meddling.”
The calls of “Ruto Must Go” cannot be wished away through indirect threats and intimidation by our security men.
