Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has sparked widespread debate after revealing why he chose not to participate in the recent Gen Z-led anti-government demonstrations, commonly referred to as maandamano.
Speaking during a recent interview, Gachagua dismissed claims that he avoided the protests out of fear. Instead, he said his decision was based on intelligence reports he received before the demonstrations.
According to him, there was an alleged plan to use his presence at the protests to trigger violence and later blame him and his supporters for any chaos that occurred.
Gachagua claimed he had received credible information suggesting that criminal gangs and rogue elements had been positioned to infiltrate the demonstrations.
He alleged that if he had attended, they would have caused destruction, looted businesses, and created unrest before shifting responsibility to him and leaders associated with the Mt. Kenya region.
The former Deputy President maintained that he could not risk the lives of his supporters by encouraging them to attend an event where violence had allegedly been planned.
He said protecting innocent Kenyans and their businesses was more important than making a political appearance on the streets.
Gachagua also emphasized that the Gen Z movement is independent and does not require political leaders to guide it.
He explained that joining the demonstrations would have shifted attention away from the young protesters and turned the movement into a political event, something he wanted to avoid.
His remarks have generated mixed reactions across the country and on social media. While some Kenyans praised him for choosing caution and avoiding a situation that could have resulted in more violence, others questioned why he did not stand in solidarity with the young protesters despite previously expressing support for their calls for accountability and better governance.
The Gen Z-led demonstrations marked the first anniversary of the June 2024 protests, with thousands of young Kenyans taking to the streets to honor those who lost their lives while demanding justice, accountability, and reforms.
The protests were held in several towns across the country and, in some areas, were disrupted by clashes between demonstrators and security officers.
Despite staying away from the demonstrations, Gachagua insisted that he continues to support the constitutional rights of Kenyans to assemble peacefully and express their views.
He reiterated that political change should ultimately be achieved through democratic and constitutional means rather than violence.
His explanation has continued to fuel discussion online, with many Gen Z activists and political observers debating whether his decision was a strategic move to avoid escalating tensions or a missed opportunity to publicly support one of Kenya’s most influential youth-led movements in recent history.
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