Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has come forward to explain why he chose not to participate in the June 25 anti-government protests.
In a televised interview on NTV on Friday evening, Gachagua said that staying away was a sign of respect for Kenya’s youth, especially those leading the current movement for change.
He reflected on how last year’s youth-led demonstrations clearly expressed that they wanted no political interference.
According to Gachagua, the young protestors had requested political figures to keep their distance, as they wanted their cause to remain neutral and free from political manipulation.
Gachagua noted that if he had attended the Wednesday demonstrations, it would have sparked renewed suspicions and fueled ongoing allegations against him. He explained that his presence could have led to claims that he was secretly funding the protests to destabilize the government and push for regime change.
During the same interview, the former Deputy President also strongly denied accusations linking him to the chaos witnessed in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
He dismissed allegations that he had paid individuals to cause destruction during the protests, instead blaming Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen for making false statements and misleading Kenyans.
“Gen Z told us to stay out of it, and I respected that,” Gachagua said. “They want to be independent and not be controlled or influenced by political figures. If I had joined them, some people would have twisted it and said I was sponsoring the protests.”
He continued, “If I truly funded criminals, why weren’t they arrested? Why weren’t they shot like others? How could unarmed thugs manage to storm a police station? The Interior CS should stop playing games and start respecting the intelligence of Kenyans.”
Gachagua didn’t hold back in his criticism of CS Murkomen, accusing him of ethnic profiling. He claimed Murkomen had tried to portray members of the Kikuyu community—mainly from the Mt Kenya region—as the main culprits behind the property damage in the CBD. The former DP dismissed these claims as an attempt to divide Kenyans along tribal lines.
He argued that the real chaos was part of a larger plan orchestrated by a few individuals within government who hired thugs to join the peaceful Gen Z protesters and cause havoc, so as to taint the image of the movement.
Gachagua also responded to President William Ruto’s recent remarks, where the President said he was willing to step down if anyone opposing him could present a better vision for the country.
In reply, Gachagua advised Ruto to consider resigning now or prepare to face a constitutional vote-out in the 2027 general election.
“I don’t believe anyone is trying to overthrow Ruto,” Gachagua said. “All these claims that the protests were organized to remove him from power are just empty talk.
It’s all propaganda created by people around him—his close allies—who are feeding him lies instead of helping him see that Kenyans are genuinely demanding reforms and better leadership.”
Gachagua’s statements come at a time when the country remains on edge, with thousands of young Kenyans continuing to protest against government corruption, high taxes, and what they see as a disconnect between leaders and the people.
His remarks have added more fire to the ongoing debate about the role of political leaders in the youth-led revolution.
Join Gen Z New WhatsApp Channel #JusticeforAlbertOjwang To Stay Updated On time
https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaWT5gSGufImU8R0DO30
