NAIROBI, Kenya- A political showdown is brewing in Kenya following claims by Belgut Member of Parliament Nelson Koech that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will be arrested and charged over the deadly Gen Z protests of June 25, 2024.
The protests—hailed as historic by many young Kenyans—left scores dead and hundreds injured after police opened fire on demonstrators who had taken to the streets to oppose the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
The bill, seen as punitive and punishing by its critics, was ultimately withdrawn following sustained public pressure.
But the aftermath of the protests has taken a sharp political turn.
Speaking amid reports of police raids on Gachagua’s properties, MP Koech accused the former Deputy President of being a central figure in orchestrating the chaos that engulfed the country.
“The invasion of Parliament and the chaos after—the architects include former DP Gachagua,” Koech said, adding, “When he issues a statement, it is not taken lightly because this is someone who has the capability of causing chaos through his tongue.”
He added: “He has a very poisonous tongue. If he is not charged, then he believes he is above the law.”
Gachagua to be charged over Gen Zs protestsRigathi Gachagua and a few MPs are about to be charged for what happened last year on 25th June – Belgut MP Nelson Koech.
Gachagua, who now leads the Democratic Citizens Party (DCP), has become one of the fiercest critics of President William Ruto’s government—despite the fact they were elected on a joint ticket in 2022.
Their political fallout became irreparable, culminating in Gachagua’s impeachment two years into their administration.
In a controversial reshuffle that followed his impeachment, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof. Kithure Kindiki was appointed as Deputy President—an appointment that was met with mixed reactions, especially given his role during the Gen Z protests.
Kindiki has been accused by protestors and human rights groups of overseeing the brutal crackdown that led to the deaths of several young demonstrators.
Some of these incidents were documented in a recent BBC investigation dubbed Blood Parliament that exposed excessive use of force by police, including the involvement of a military officer who allegedly fired fatal shots outside Parliament.
Gachagua’s allies, meanwhile, say the latest move against him is purely political.
“This is political persecution, nothing more,” one legislator aligned with the former DP told Y News. “You can’t call for peace and democracy while turning around to arrest your critics.”
Wiper party leader and former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka echoed similar sentiments.
In a strongly worded statement, Kalonzo criticized the approach taken by police, terming the reported raids and manhunt against Gachagua as unlawful.
“Let the police summon him legally if he is required. This is a former Deputy President—not a criminal,” Kalonzo said.
This intimidation of the Opposition must stop. Mr Ruto, if you want to arrest Deputy President @rigathi, do it the right way; follow the law.We are prepared to produce DP Gachagua before the @DCI_Kenya. Please stop abducting Kenyans and their leaders. Abductions are primitive
Gachagua’s legal team has not publicly responded to the allegations, and details of the charges he is set to face remain unclear.
However, MP Koech insisted that the former Deputy President will be charged alongside several lawmakers said to be aligned with him.
The Gen Z protests, which began as peaceful demonstrations against the Finance Bill, quickly evolved into a broader call for government accountability, justice, and reform.
When demonstrators stormed Parliament in June 25, 2024, it marked an unprecedented moment in Kenya’s democratic history—both for the level of civic action and for the tragic loss of life that followed.
Since then, the political temperature in the country has remained high, with several leaders warning that the government is using state institutions to silence dissent.
“Instead of responding to the concerns of the youth, they are arresting opposition voices. That’s the definition of dictatorship,” Meshack Mayende, a Nairobi-based political analyst, said.
The unfolding events have not only deepened rifts within the ruling coalition but have also raised alarm among civil society groups and human rights organizations, many of which are now calling for independent investigations into the killings, arrests, and the broader handling of the protests.
Several youth linked to the protests were abducted, and while some were later released, others remain missing according to human rights organisations.
