NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has firmly denied allegations linking him to the recent wave of nationwide protests, accusing the government of scapegoating and failing to act on intelligence if it truly existed.
In a televised interview, Gachagua lashed out at suggestions that he financed the demonstrations or orchestrated chaos, saying the claims were baseless and part of a smear campaign.
“If they had intelligence that goons had been paid by Rigathi or anybody else, why didn’t they arrest these goons?” he asked. “If these were my goons, I want to tell you today, they would have been shot dead or be in custody.”
His remarks came in direct response to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who on Thursday claimed that the protests were part of an attempted civilian coup aimed at toppling state institutions.
“The plan was to take symbols of authority and democracy — Parliament and State House — to show that they had achieved some sort of regime change,” Murkomen alleged during a press briefing.
But Gachagua rubbished the claims as both “irresponsible” and “an insult to Kenyans,” challenging the state to produce evidence instead of issuing threats.
“How did unarmed youth take over a police station if the government had such intelligence? Why weren’t the looters arrested or shot?” Gachagua posed. “Murkomen must respect the people and stop taking them for fools.”
The protests, largely led by Gen Z activists opposing the controversial Finance Bill and perceived government excesses, have sparked a national reckoning over governance, accountability, and civil liberties.
Demonstrators have maintained the movement is organic and leaderless — a narrative government officials appear to be pushing back against.
President William Ruto has also weighed in, labeling the unrest as “anarchy dressed in freedom colours” and warning of consequences for those allegedly behind the scenes.
“The perpetrators must be identified, unmasked, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Ruto said. “Those who want power must convince Kenyans at the ballot, not burn down what others have built.”
The president’s comments followed a series of violent clashes between protestors and security forces, with property damaged and several lives lost in the chaos.
However, rights groups have continued to raise alarm over what they term as excessive force and the criminalization of dissent.
Gachagua, who has recently positioned himself as a dissenter within the ruling coalition, insisted that the government’s response — rather than any so-called financiers — is what has fueled public outrage.
“This is a people’s movement. Trying to blame leaders won’t make the problem go away,” he said.
