Former Head of Government Delivery Services Peter Mbae has accused President William Ruto’s administration of being directly responsible for attacks on journalists covering opposition rallies, rejecting claims that media workers were merely caught in crossfire.
Speaking to a local radio station on Monday, August 17, 2026, Mbae said the attacks were deliberate and targeted journalists for documenting political events.
His remarks come a day after an incident in Homa Bay where a Mediamax vehicle was set ablaze, and journalists were injured. Mbae said the violence could not be dismissed as accidental, arguing that the President ultimately bears responsibility for security incidents in the country.
“The buck stops with the President. Nothing happens in this country without his knowledge. The attack on the media personnel was not a case of being caught in the crossfire; it was a targeted attack,” he said.
Mbae rejected claims that journalists were inadvertently caught between rival groups during political confrontations. He said he witnessed the incident and believed the media were deliberately targeted because journalists were documenting events.
“Even the signal to attack the media was not a crossfire. They were not caught in crossfire. No, I refuse. I was there when the media was attacked. It was not a crossfire. It was targeted,” he said.
He said the alleged targeting was aimed at preventing journalists from recording political violence and bringing it to public attention.
Mbae also alleged the existence of a parallel security structure operating outside the conventional chain of command.
“There is a parallel system in this country, a security parallel system. Operates for the president. ” he said.
His remarks followed an attack on journalists covering a Linda Mwananchi rally in Homa Bay on Sunday.
A Mediamax Network vehicle was set ablaze as opposition leaders attempted to enter Homa Bay town, while media equipment was vandalised and stolen.
Cameramen Francis Mwangi and Evans Okeyo were among those attacked. Mwangi sustained serious injuries and was taken to hospital, while the vehicle’s driver was also injured.
Mbae warned that political leaders risk creating a security threat by allegedly using young people to disrupt rallies. He said those recruited for political violence could eventually turn against their sponsors.
“These young people you are breeding, you are breeding a dinosaur that will come and eat you,” he warned.
“All these people, they know your homes. The day they get hungry, they don’t have money, and you have been giving them money to run errands, and then there will be no errands; they will come to your home,” Mbae said.
“And if you don’t give them money, they will rob you. And they can kill you. And finally next year, they will not vote for you.” He added.
Mbae, who is also a Democracy for Citizens Party official, previously served in several government positions. The Public Service Commission appointed him Head of Government Delivery Services in June 2024, where he was tasked with overseeing implementation of government programmes and projects across ministries, departments and agencies.
He resigned from the position in January 2025, citing unresolved issues that he said had made it impossible to perform his duties as intended.
Mbae also served as Secretary for Investments Promotion and Head of the Ministerial Delivery Unit before becoming Head of Ministerial Programmes.
He concluded by warning that political violence could escalate ahead of the 2027 election.
“Violence begets violence,” he said, urging Kenyans to reject political violence.