'We are servants of the people,' says Kenyan deputy president as he blames protest deaths on intel agency

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - Emphasizing that government leaders are "servants of the people," Kenya's deputy president on Wednesday blamed the country's intelligence agency for deaths during violent protests against a contentious finance bill that has now been withdrawn by the president.

Protesters stormed the parliament in Nairobi after the legislation, which would have increased taxes and cost of living, was passed by lawmakers on Tuesday. Police allegedly fired live ammunition at the demonstrators and several people were killed.

At a news conference in Mombasa, Rigathi Gachagua criticized the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for "failing" to brief President William Ruto and top police officers on the public sentiments and the extent of the unrest.

"The organization paid for by the Kenyan public should have briefed the president on the feelings of the Kenyan people," Gachagua said.

He said top police officers "did not receive" intelligence briefs from the NIS, describing the agency as having "slept on the job."

“We have a dysfunctional National Intelligence Service that has exposed the government and the people of Kenya,” he said, calling on the director of the NIS, Noordin Haji, to resign.

He accused Haji of "always being on business trips and never in the country."

Haji "must take responsibility for the deaths, mayhem, failing President Ruto and Kenya for not doing his job," said the deputy president. "He must do the honorable thing, not just taking responsibility but resign.”

"Withdrawing the Finance Bill 2024 is the beginning of acknowledging that there is a disconnect between the people and the government," said Gachagua.

Earlier on Wednesday, Ruto bowed to public pressure and announced that he will not sign the controversial legislation.

Gachagua emphasized the role of the government as servants of the people, a sentiment he believes should guide future governance.

"The president, myself, and elected leaders are servants of the people. Going forward, this should be the norm, listening to the people," he said.