Head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy, Dennis Itumbi, has stated that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) often becomes an easy scapegoat for criticism aimed at the government or the President.
Itumbi highlighted that while interacting with the agency, one consistent observation stood out: their silent and vigilant nature makes them defenseless against public scrutiny.
“The truth is that it is very hard to love the National Intelligence Service (NIS). It is actually easier to hate and criticize them, especially when the real target of the criticism is the government or the President himself. NIS is always an easy target—silent, vigilant, and without a voice of their own,” Itumbi stated.
However, he emphasized that this does not exempt the NIS from accountability.
The truth is, it's incredibly hard to love the National Intelligence Service (NIS). Criticizing them is easy— especially when your aim is the president or GOK, and you are afraid to do it directly. Let me do a thread, niongee, initoke..1/
— -Dennis Itumbi, CBS (@OleItumbi) January 15, 2025
Itumbi’s remarks follow a high-profile controversy involving Public Service Cabinet Secretary Justin Muturi, who accused the NIS of abducting his son.
Also READ: CS Justin Muturi’s Statement on Son’s Dramatic Abduction and Release
Muturi alleged in a statement to the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) that after his son was reportedly kidnapped, he sought answers from top security officials, including the Inspector General, the Head of the Anti-Terror Police Unit, and the Interior Ministry leadership. All denied any knowledge of the abduction.
Muturi claimed that his calls to NIS Director General Noordin Haji went unanswered until an agency official admitted that they had his son. According to Muturi, the matter was resolved only after President William Ruto personally intervened.
“Standing outside the pavilion, I heard the President ask Noordin Haji if he was holding my son. Noordin confirmed and was instructed by the President to release Leslie immediately. He assured that Leslie would be released within an hour,” part of Muturi’s statement read.
This incident comes months after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua publicly criticized the NIS for what he described as a failure to provide the President with critical intelligence. Gachagua’s remarks followed the Gen Z protests on June 25, 2024, during which he accused the agency of incompetence.
The NIS has yet to respond to these allegations, continuing its tradition of operating under strict confidentiality.
