This archive report was first published on 10 September 2021.
Laikipia County is in crisis as Deputy President William Ruto's allies, led by Mathira MP Rigathi Gachagua, demand the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) to restore calm in the region.
On Thursday, September 9, Gachagua issued an ultimatum to President Uhuru Kenyatta, calling on him to use his power as Commander-in-Chief to deploy KDF in Laikipia.
Speaking to the press, Gachagua stated, "I am calling on our President who is also the Commander-in-Chief to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces in Laikipia to stop the skirmishes and displacement of the population. We elected the President, not Matiang'i and Mutyambai to protect life and property."
"I am calling on our President who is also the Commander-in-Chief to deploy the Kenya Defence Forces in Laikipia to stop the skirmishes and displacement of the population. We elected the President, not Matiang'i and Mutyambai to protect life and property," Gachagua stated. Gachagua further asked the Head of State to make the order on deployment as early as Friday, September 10. He argued that it does not make sense that KDF is still on a mission in Somalia yet Laikipia is in a crisis, saying, "It is purely nonsensical to send out troops to assist in Somalia when our people are being displaced with impunity and government officials admit our police are helpless. Let us deploy the military in Laikipia as early as tomorrow (Friday) morning." "It is purely nonsensical to send out troops to assist in Somalia when our people are being displaced with impunity and government officials admit our police are helpless. Let us deploy the military in Laikipia as early as tomorrow (Friday) morning," Gachagua insisted. The call to deploy KDF to Laikipia was first made by the Council of Governors through their chair, Embu Governor Martin Wambora.
