NAIROBI, Kenya – Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that his decision to stay away from last Wednesday’s anti-government protests was a deliberate move to honour the wishes of young Kenyans who had called for non-partisan demonstrations.
Speaking during a television interview, Gachagua said he respected the Gen Z-led movement’s clear stance against political interference, adding that his involvement would have been misconstrued as an attempt to hijack the protests.
“Gen Zs asked us to stay away from the protests, and rightly so, because they don’t want to be owned by anyone,” he said. “Had I joined them on Wednesday, it would have fuelled false claims that I fund them. I had no business being in the streets.”
His remarks come amid government claims that some politicians may have played a behind-the-scenes role in financing or fueling the nationwide protests.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen has warned that anyone found culpable will face legal action, regardless of rank or office.
Gachagua used the opportunity to push back against such allegations, insisting he neither participated in nor funded the protests.
However, he acknowledged that the demonstrations had exposed deep differences between himself and President William Ruto.
According to Gachagua, their fallout intensified following the June 25 protests, which drew massive crowds and were met with a strong police response.
The former DP said he opposed the administration’s characterization of the protestors as criminals.
“I told the president I was against the use of excessive force. I said these are our sons and daughters, and they deserve to be heard,” Gachagua claimed, adding that he also urged Ruto to withdraw the controversial Finance Bill, 2024 — a proposal the president rejected.
The former deputy president also clarified past comments that were interpreted as supporting police crackdowns on demonstrators during his tenure.
“I was misquoted. What I said is that police must use their guns to protect life and property — not to take away life. That was my position,” he said.
Gachagua’s comments come as the country continues to grapple with political tensions and youth-led protests against rising costs of living and economic mismanagement, with Gen Z demonstrators vowing to remain apolitical and focused on systemic reforms.
