Wamuzi News Ke
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua today delivered a blistering rebuke of the government’s handling of Wednesday’s protests, alleging that state actors deliberately incited violence and looting in Nairobi’s Central Business District.
In a detailed 18-point statement issued hours after pro-government MPs called for his arrest, Gachagua directly challenged Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen’s claims that the unrest amounted to terrorism. The DCP leader dismissed the government’s version as skewed, instead blaming officials for masterminding chaos.
Allegations of State-Backed ‘Goons’ on the Loose
Gachagua painted a disturbing portrait of the June 25 unrest:
He claimed the government orchestrated roadblocks along Kiambu Road and Thika Road, stranding protesters and facilitating coordinated attacks by armed assailants. CCTV footage and eyewitness accounts, he said, exposed a plot to unleash prepared “goons” into the CBD.
According to Gachagua, specific businesses—particularly those tied to a certain region—were targeted. He asserted the selection was no accident, but rather a calculated exercise by county officials loyal to the government.
DCP Leader Condemns Police Brutality
Gachagua strongly condemned the use of live ammunition against unarmed Gen Z protesters, stating:
“I condemn in the strongest terms possible the use of excessive force and live bullets by the police on peaceful and unarmed Gen Z protesters”.
He also lambasted the state’s apparent indifference toward the families of victims and urged investigations into whether the violence was premeditated by those in power .
Government Pushback: Terrorism or Political Cover?
The government’s stance, articulated by CS Murkomen earlier today, described the protests as a “terrorist campaign” and an orchestrated attempt to seize power. He accused protest financiers of planning to raid armouries and seize police uniforms.
Despite the official narrative, Gachagua fired back, accusing Murkomen of peddling falsehoods in a bid to distract from the real issue—state-sponsored violence. He canceled his media engagements in Embu as a mark of solidarity with those who suffered during the unrest.
A Nation at a Crossroads
The escalation of finger-pointing between Gachagua and the government highlights the deepening political divide. Tensions are now sharply focused on whether the violent episodes were spontaneous outbursts or the result of engineered chaos.
With public trust eroding and calls for accountability growing louder, the coming days will likely determine whether Kenya pursues transparency—or hardens its stance.
Watch This Space
- Independent Inquiry: Will the independent policing oversight authority act on Gachagua’s allegations?
- Legal Fallout: Could fresh investigations implicate county officials or police commanders?
- Political Ripple Effects: How will this clash affect President Ruto’s alliances and broader stability?
As Nairobi reels from the aftermath, Kenya stands at a tipping point: between truth and cover-up, unity and further division.
