Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has addressed his absence from the June 25 protests, stating his decision was a deliberate show of respect for Kenya's youth.
Speaking during a Friday evening interview on NTV, Gachagua recalled the stance taken by young protestors in last year's demonstrations. His remarks come amidst ongoing debate about political figures' involvement in the recent demonstrations..
The former DP said his presence at the protests could have fuelled persistent allegations. Such involvement, he argued, might have led to claims that he was financially backing the demonstrations with the intent of toppling the current administration.
Gachagua also took the opportunity in the interview to vehemently deny accusations that he had funded "goons" responsible for destroying property in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) during the Wednesday unrest.
He, instead, accused the Interior Cabinet Secretary, Kipchumba Murjomen, of allegedly attempting to mislead Kenyans by making what he termed as baseless claims against him.
"Gen Zs asked us to stay away from the protests and rightly so, because they don’t want to be owned by anyone. Had I joined them on Wednesday, it would’ve fuelled false claims that I fund them," Gachagua said.
He added, "If I funded goons, why weren’t they arrested? If they were mine, they’d have been shot. How did unarmed goons take over a police station? The Interior CS must respect Kenyans."
While taking a swipe at Murkomen, the former DP criticised the CS for allegedly profiling the Kikuyu ethic group by purportedly claiming that most of the protesters who destroyed property were from the Mt Kenya region.
He attributed the looting and destruction of property to a well-orchestrated scheme by some pro-government politicians who he claimed hired goons to infiltrate the peaceful Gen Z protests.
Gachagua also responded to President William Ruto's remarks in which he declared that he was ready to step down but only if those opposing his governance showed him their better plan for the nation.
In his response, the former DP advised the Head of State to resign from the presidency or wait to be ousted constitutionally through the ballot in 2027.
“I don't think anyone wants to overthrow William Ruto, all these allegations that the protests were aimed at overthrowing him are baseless, they are empty gimmicks from his boys trying to hype and cheat him from seeing the reality that Kenyans are agitating for reforms,” the former DP said.
