DP Kindiki on Gen Z protests: I have no reason to take responsibility for anything

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Thursday night faced mounting pressure to defend his record after a social card announcing his interview was met with widespread criticism.

"I have no reason to take responsibility for anything," he said, addressing concerns about his tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary, during which human rights activists claim 60 Kenyans lost their lives.

“The Interior minister has no role in police operations.”

Prof Kindiki defended his two-year tenure as Interior Cabinet Secretary, maintaining that he could fully account for his time in office and reiterating that the role does not involve direct oversight of police operations.

He was speaking from his Karen home in Nairobi 50 days after he took office as the DP following the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua.

His role in the June 25, 2024, protests, which were marked by police brutality, remained a point of contention.
Even as Deputy President, he appeared to struggle when pressed about the progress of investigations into the events of that day.

He only stated that six files detailing police conduct were ready but offered little clarity on the next steps.

When asked whether he was proud of the events of June 25, particularly as a professor of law who had been at the helm of the Interior Ministry, he responded candidly: "Any Kenyan who would be proud of that day would be appropriately doing so. I wouldn’t be proud."

Addressing the plight of families still searching for their loved ones, he acknowledged the gravity of the situation.

“It is unfortunate that this country went through what it went through in June and July. Having a loved one missing is extremely painful,” he said. “We, including myself, are not proud.”

He added that the government had committed to supporting bereaved families following the tragic events.

According to DP Kindiki, families were given confidential ex gratia assistance, and a number of them had already been supported.

The reputation trailing him from his tenure at the interior ministry is far from flattering. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki faced tough questions about his stance on the police killings of young protesters during the June 25 demonstrations.

When asked whether he agreed with President William Ruto, who labeled the protesters as "crooks and criminals" and described their actions as "treasonous" in his first national address after the protests, Kindiki avoided a direct response.

He stated that it was challenging to differentiate between genuine, legitimate protesters and criminal elements within the crowd.

“There were no shoot-to-kill orders,” he insisted, explaining that his ministry does not oversee police operations, as its mandate is clearly defined in the Constitution.

Despite the tragic events, Prof Kindiki expressed pride in his tenure at the Interior Ministry but struggled to provide a clear explanation for what went wrong during the protests.

When questioned about the police officers wearing masks, he said only that it was part of the evidence being reviewed in the ongoing investigations.

Following the deadly protest, the cabinet was dissolved, and a broad-based government was formed later.