Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has defended his decision to stay away from Thursday's commemoration of the Gen Z protests, saying it was a calculated move aimed at preventing bloodshed, destruction of property and arbitrary arrests in the Mt Kenya region.
In an interview with the Nation on Thursday, Mr Gachagua said political leaders, professionals, religious figures and business people from the region had reached a consensus that participating in public demonstrations would expose residents to violence and economic losses.
The June 2024 Gen Z protests began as demonstrations against the Finance Bill before evolving into a broader movement demanding accountability, good governance, an end to corruption and a more inclusive economy.
The protests were met with a heavy security response that resulted in deaths, injuries, alleged abductions and enforced disappearances, leading to annual commemorations every June 25.
Mr Gachagua said his decision was informed by consultations held during his ongoing 45-day political conclave at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County, where he has been meeting political allies, professionals and community leaders.
“I had gathered intelligence from my government networks and the reality is that there were expectations that I would appear in the streets, creating an opportunity for goons and rogue security officers to cause mayhem,” he said.
According to the former DP, intelligence reports suggested that criminal gangs had been mobilised to infiltrate demonstrations in Mt Kenya and trigger violence that would then be blamed on the region.
“The plan was to create violence, loss of life and looting and then portray Mt Kenya as the centre of opposition to President William Ruto’s administration. That plan suffered a setback when I advised my supporters to stay away from the streets,” he claimed.
Mr Gachagua argued that leadership requires balancing political activism with the responsibility of protecting lives and livelihoods.
Vocal Africa Executive Director Hussein Khalid places flowers on razor wire barricades outside Parliament Buildings in Nairobi on June 25, 2026, during demonstrations marking the second anniversary of the 2024 Gen Z anti-Finance Bill protests.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
“I publicly asked my supporters not to participate because I have a duty to protect them from loss of life and destruction of property. Responsible leadership demands that I put their safety first,” he said.
He insisted that the opposition remains united in its objective of removing President Ruto from office through the ballot rather than through street protests.
“We are united by one objective of ensuring this government leaves office through a democratic vote in 2027. How individual opposition leaders mobilise their supporters may differ, but our common goal remains the same,” he said.
Mr Gachagua acknowledged that some opposition leaders chose to participate in the commemorations but said different leaders operate under different political circumstances.
“We are principals with different constituencies and dynamics. There cannot be uniformity in every action. What matters is our shared commitment to offering Kenyans an alternative leadership in 2027,” he said.
He added that mobilising Mt Kenya, which he described as the country’s largest voting bloc, requires careful political calculation.
“Leading people into situations that may expose them to death, injuries and economic ruin cannot be part of a responsible opposition strategy. We will register our protest through the vote in 2027,” he said.
His position was echoed by Kikuyu Council of Elders chairman Wachira Kiago, who said the community had resolved to reject street protests after previous demonstrations resulted in looting and business losses.
“We do not believe in street protests. That is not our culture. We will express ourselves through the ballot,” Mr Kiago said.
Police officers on guard in Kitengela town, Kajiado County on June 25, 2026, during the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
However, Mr Gachagua’s position drew criticism from allies of President Ruto.
Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri dismissed claims of a government plot to unleash violence in Mt Kenya, describing them as political propaganda.
“Mr Gachagua is conducting double-agency politics. He wants to keep Mt Kenya voters under his influence while pursuing his own political interests,” Mr Kiunjuri said.
The legislator further said Mr Gachagua’s recent political activities, including his brief trip to the United Kingdom and the ongoing Wamunyoro conclave, reflected a leader struggling to define his political direction.
