NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto over the state’s handling of the June 25 Gen Z protests, accusing the government of orchestrating violence, looting, and targeted repression under the guise of law enforcement.
In a statement released Thursday, Gachagua, now party leader of the Democratic Change Party (DCP), condemned what he described as “state goonish tendencies” and “a brutal crackdown” on peaceful protesters commemorating the one-year anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill demonstrations.
“I condemn the use of excessive force and live bullets by the police on peaceful and unarmed Gen Z protesters witnessed yesterday across the country,” said Gachagua. “Intimidating young demonstrators who were only remembering their slain colleagues only complicates matters for you and your rogue regime, Mr. Ruto.”
Statement by DCP Party Leader HE: Rigathi Gachagua.
Accusations of State-Sponsored Violence
Gachagua claimed the violence witnessed in Nairobi and other towns was not random, but part of a calculated effort to delegitimize the Gen Z-led movement.
He alleged that police deliberately blocked peaceful demonstrators along Kiambu and Thika roads, while allowing “state-sponsored goons” to infiltrate the city centre and loot businesses.
“Your police allowed goons into town at their expense to go and cause mayhem and place the blame on Gen Zs,” Gachagua stated.
The former deputy president further claimed that businesses, particularly those owned by members of the Kikuyu community, were targeted in what he described as politically motivated attacks.
“We have credible information that, especially in downtown Nairobi, businesses from a particular region were clearly identified and marked for looting,” he added, accusing Nairobi County officials and politicians of complicity.
He also dismissed Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s visit to affected shops as a “pretentious PR stunt”, and accused the government of shutting down TV signals to conceal its alleged involvement in the chaos.
“You Are the One Setting the Country Ablaze”
Gachagua’s remarks offered unflinching support for the youth movement, describing them as “the future of this country” and likening their struggle to Kenya’s historic resistance against colonial and dictatorial regimes.
“They have faced your violence and shed their blood for the sake of this country. They embody the very spirit of Kenyan patriotism,” he said. “If you truly listen, you’ll hear them telling you that the person setting this country ablaze is you, Mr. Ruto.”
In a direct challenge to the president, he added:
“When the story of this era is written, consider very carefully what your legacy will be.”
He concluded by announcing that, out of respect for victims of the protest violence, he was cancelling his planned media engagements and weekend events in Embu County.
