President Uhuru Kenyatta has been advised to cease appearing to be harassing allies of his deputy William Ruto.
This follows the Tuesday incident where Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika and Nakuru East MP David Gikaria were blocked from accessing a presidential function in Nakuru Town.
Political analyst Benjamin Imende now says that such is actually working to the advantage of Ruto's allies, popularly known as Tanga Tanga.
Speaking on Wednesday night, he stressed on the need for Uhuru and his allies to ignore the group, advising that victimizing them only makes them more popular.
"When being treated badly, they are using the same to win sympathy from Kenyans and are also winning the masses Kenyans are translating it as their people being victimized. (Wanapofanyiwa madharau wanatumia hiyo kupata sympathy kwa wananchi and they are winning the masses. Wananchi wanaona watu wao wanadhulumiwa)," he said.
Imende, also a Star journalist, made the remarks in an interview on Radio Jambo's Mazungumzo Waziwazi on Wednesday night.
He stated that while Uhuru might even have not been aware of the duo being locked out, there is need for his handlers to cease thinking that such will bring the group back on track.
According to him, the harassment Ruto's allies have been undergoing in the hands of Uhuru's government can only harden them.
"Its these small things being done against Tanga Tanga that are hardening them, they cannot retreat (Hivi vitu vidogo vinavyofanywa ndio vinaharden Tangatanga, sasa hawawezi kurudi nyuma)," he added.
The incident came only days after the arrest and detention of Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria, over assault claims, but which allies of the DP have also termed witch hunt.
Tanga Tanga members who attempted to visit him in custody were also teargassed.