Gachagua, Kuria differ over sect
By Alvin.Mwangi, January 12, 2024Public Service Cabinet Moses Kuria has differed with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over how the government will deal with the illegal sect Mungiki.
Kuria who was speaking in Nairobi said despite the group re-emerging slowly, cases of intimidation and death threats will not be the appropriate way of handling the matter.
“Young people from Mt Kenya will not be killed in the name of Mungiki. I am ready to pay every price for this but I will not allow them to be killed or intimidated. Leaders from Mt Kenya region should look for a better way to handle this matter. Intimidation will never work,” he said.
This comes even after Gachagua assured that the government will not allow the mushrooming of the illegal Mungiki sect urging the youth to shun attempts to be initiated in the outlawed group.
Gachagua revealed that since November last year, a section of youth from the Mt Kenya region linked to the illegal sect had been terrorising community members, especially women by soliciting taxes.
“An attempt is being made to revive the criminal gang and two months ago they had started collecting money from touting stages, hardware’s and harassing women. I don’t want our leaders to be intimidated because those are few individuals,” he said.
The DP warned Mungiki leaders saying they will not be allowed to lure the youth to join the illegal sect urging the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to frustrate their efforts.
“We will not allow the recruiting of our youth to engage in crime. We have a responsibility to protect our young people from being abused and being used in criminal activities,” Gachagua said.
“If there’s any political price to be paid to protect our women and youth. I am willing to pay, if we lose our votes, then let it be,” he added.