MOSES KURIA DISMISSES VIOLENCE CLAIMS, ACCUSES DCP OF POLITICAL SMEAR CAMPAIGN.
BY NJOKI KARANJA.
Senior Economic Advisor to President William Ruto, Moses Kuria, has strongly dismissed allegations linking him to violence in the Mount Kenya region, accusing leaders from the opposition-aligned Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) of engaging in a calculated campaign to tarnish his reputation.
Speaking during a press conference in Nairobi on Wednesday, Kuria said recent claims by leaders associated with DCP, including the Member of Parliament for Mukurweini and DCP Secretary-General Methu Muhia, were baseless and lacked any evidence.
Kuria criticized the media for allegedly failing to hold political leaders accountable for unsubstantiated allegations, arguing that public figures should be required to provide proof for claims that could damage an individual's character and credibility.
"The threshold for proof has fallen drastically. Leaders are making serious accusations without being challenged to substantiate them," Kuria said.
The former Cabinet Secretary rejected attempts to portray him as a tribal leader whose political interests are confined to the Mount Kenya region, insisting that he views himself as a national leader committed to the interests of all Kenyans.
"I refuse to be viewed through the prism of tribe. I have deliberately chosen a national outlook because I want to leave behind a country where our children are judged by their abilities and not by their ethnicity," he stated.
Kuria described accusations that he could organize violence against residents of his own region as illogical and politically motivated. He claimed the allegations were part of a broader effort to undermine his standing among the people of Mount Kenya after previous attempts to brand him a political traitor had failed.
The advisor also raised concerns about what he termed "sinister plans" allegedly being developed by some opposition figures around upcoming political activities, including Gen Z-led demonstrations, the ongoing court case concerning the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, and the anticipated Saba Saba commemorations.
While declining to provide specific details, Kuria said he had reported his concerns to security agencies and had received assurances that law enforcement officers would remain vigilant during the upcoming events.
"We are not going to gamble with the future of our country. Anyone who attempts to endanger lives or destroy property will face the full force of the law," he warned.
Kuria further argued that the Mount Kenya region had disproportionately borne the impact of recent political unrest and demonstrations, questioning why the region continued to experience violence while other parts of the country remained relatively peaceful.
The outspoken politician also took aim at opposition leaders, including Kalonzo Musyoka and Fred Matiang'i, suggesting that political mobilization efforts should not be concentrated in the Mount Kenya region.
In a particularly sharp attack on Gachagua, Kuria maintained that the former Deputy President's impeachment had significantly weakened his political standing and questioned his continued influence within national politics.
He also alleged that some opposition leaders publicly criticizing the government were privately seeking political arrangements with President William Ruto, claiming that discussions were ongoing regarding possible cooperation with the administration.
Kuria concluded by appealing to political actors to refrain from dragging public servants into partisan disputes, specifically defending Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, whose names had also been mentioned in the allegations.
"Bring the attacks to me if you must. But spare our public servants who are busy serving Kenyans," Kuria said.
The remarks come amid heightened political tensions ahead of anticipated demonstrations and increasing political realignments as the country gradually shifts toward the 2027 General Election.
