Wamuzi News Ke
In a startling revelation today, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua disclosed his deliberate absence from the June 25 Gen Z protests, urging fellow leaders to respect the youth’s independence and avoid being portrayed as orchestrators.
Speaking in a televised interview on Friday, June 27, Gachagua explained that during last year’s unrest, young demonstrators made it clear: “keep off the protests.” He maintained that political heavyweights must honour that boundary. “I didn’t want to join the protests… they are not under the direction of anybody and not financed by anybody,” he emphasized.
As accusations circulated claiming he financed unrest, Gachagua sought to neutralize them, stating: “If I had turned up… it would have given credit to the ridiculous accusations that I financed the Gen Zs. I’m not their leader, I’m not their financier; I just support them morally because I support their cause”.
Though he stayed off the frontlines, Gachagua did not hold back on condemning the government’s response to demonstrators. He accused security forces of unleashing excessive violence, including live ammunition, against peaceful youth assemblies. He denounced such actions as state-sanctioned brutality: “Intimidating the peaceful and young demonstrators… only complicates the matter for… your rogue regime, Mr. Ruto”.
He pinpointed the youth’s grievances as rooted in unfulfilled promises by President Ruto’s administration—particularly on job creation and economic emancipation. “The cause of the Gen‑Z protests is well‑known… you promised our young people jobs… you know what you have delivered”.
Gachagua provided fresh allegations that state-sponsored “goons” infiltrated rallies to provoke chaos and derail the movement. “Last week… goons were instructed to loot and destroy property,” he asserted, accusing President Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja of orchestrating these tactics.
While other political figures, such as Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka and DAP‑K’s Eugene Wamalwa, joined the June 25 protests, Gachagua chose a carefully calibrated distance—but not silence. His remarks signal continued political fallout as Gen Z momentum meets government resistance.
