Kaluma defends CDF Kahariri’s stance on anti-govt chants
Homa Bay Town Member of Parliament (MP) Peter Kaluma has come out in strong defence of Chief of Defence Forces (CDF) Charles Kahariri’s recent remarks on anti-government protests, characterizing them as educational rather than threatening.
The MP’s comments follow a statement by CDF Kahariri that has sparked debate regarding the military’s role during public demonstrations.
Speaking at the National Intelligence and Research University in Nairobi during a public lecture by National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss Noordin Haji on Thursday, March 27, 2025, Kahariri emphasized that Kenyans must prioritize love for their country to prevent chaos.
“Unless we love our country first, we will soon have no country, and if there is no spare, we cannot have anarchy in the country,” Kahariri stated.
He stressed that exercising rights should remain within constitutional bounds to prevent the country from falling apart, adding that any calls for change, such as the ‘Must Go‘ slogan, must be pursued constitutionally to avoid anarchy.
“So when people decide that they are tired of this government and you chose it yourself, and then you say, ‘Must go, must go,’ that ‘must go’ must be done according to the constitution,” Kahariri stated.
Necessary reminder
In a statement shared on his X account on March 29, 2025, Kaluma praised Kahariri’s message, terming it a necessary reminder of the military’s role in safeguarding national stability.
He emphasized that Kahariri’s statements were not a threat, as the military exists to protect the Constitution and the Republic.
“The military exists to protect the Constitution and the Republic. This was a very good, sober, highly educative message from Kenya’s CDF,” the legislator stated.
Criticism
Kaluma’s defence comes amid mixed reactions from political leaders and civil society organizations. Some have interpreted Kahariri’s comments as a violation of the Constitution.
In a statement released through its media channels on Friday, March 28, 2025, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) expressed that the CDF’s sentiments represent an outright assault on the constitutional rights of Kenyans, specifically regarding the sovereign powers vested in leaders.
KHRC criticized both the NIS and KDF for overstepping their mandates and failing in the principles they accused Kenyans of violating.
“The warning by Chief of Defence Forces Charles Kahariri and National Intelligence Service Director General Noordin Haji against the ‘Ruto Must Go’ slogan is an outright assault on Kenyans’ constitutional rights. No authority—military, intelligence, or executive—can override the sovereignty of the people,” the rights body stated referencing Article 1 of the Constitution, which declares that all sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya.
KHRC maintained that Kahariri and Haji were overstepping their authority with such threats.
“Given this, neither Kahariri nor Haji has the moral authority to lecture Kenyans about upholding the constitution—they have trampled upon it. The people’s right to express discontent, assemble peacefully, and demand accountability is protected by the Constitution. Kenyans will not bow to unconstitutional decrees. The people and the constitution are supreme—not the government, not the military, and certainly not the intelligence service or any other arm of government,” KHRC noted.
Busia County Senator Okiya Omtatah also criticized Haji and Kahariri for their warnings against the ‘Ruto must go’ chants.
In a statement issued on March 28, 2025, Omtatah said their comments were concerning as they could be interpreted as engaging in political matters.
“This direct engagement in a politically charged matter violates the Constitution and the laws governing security agencies, which mandate them to remain neutral and apolitical,” he stated.
“Across Africa, history warns us of the perils when security organs entangle themselves in politics. The NIS and CDF’s public remarks at the lecture, framing the ‘Ruto must go’ campaign as a threat, breach this obligation, compromising their independence,” Omtatah added.
