‘Kenya welcomes fair criticism,’ Foreign Affairs PS Sing’oei says after Gachagua’s comments on Malema

Sing’oei emphasized that Malema is welcome in Kenya, a free and open democracy, highlighting the importance of constructive criticism.

"Comrade Julius Malema is welcome to Kenya- a free and open democracy- and his perspectives even when not aligned with the Government's- in some respect- is valued," the PS wrote in a tweet on Sunday. 

Sing'oei's comment, however, was interpreted by some as a contradiction to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's stance on Malema's criticism. 

This prompted the PS to issue a clarification saying, "I was clarifying that the country's leadership welcomes fair criticism. All H.E the Deputy President sought to emphasize was that criticism from leaders of friendly Nations must be tempered with restraint lest it undermines interstate comity."

Gachagua had previously criticized Malema for disrespecting President William Ruto, urging him to refrain from interfering in other countries' politics and focus on his own nation.

“I have seen a South African national who just arrived in the country this morning already start criticizing the nation. Visitors should respect the leaders of the countries they are visiting,” Gachagua remarked during a church service at St. Thomas Girls Secondary School in Kilifi on November 11.

Criticism of Gachagua's stance was first to come from prominent lawyer Miguna Miguna, who rebuked Gachagua for reprimanding Malema's criticism of Ruto.

Miguna argued that Gachagua's self-censorship and belief that visitors shouldn't point out errors only serves the privileged and not the majority for whom Malema spoke.

“You are wrong, Rigathi. Why shouldn’t Julius Malema criticize Kenyan leaders when he believes that they are hypocritical? Who stopped you from criticizing South African leaders when you were there?” Miguna wrote. 

Malema, who arrived in the country to launch the Pan African Institute at Lukenya University on November 9, criticized President Ruto for not fulfilling his promises made during the 2022 General Election, highlighting a stark contrast between Ruto's election promises and his actions as the current Head of State.