Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has revealed that the explosive press conference he held in Mombasa, where he called out the National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss Noordin Haji and President William Ruto, was instigated by his sons.
Speaking during an open forum with youths on Thursday afternoon, the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) said his sons held a meeting with him and expressed their disappointment with Ruto's characterisation of youths as criminals.
According to the former DP, his son's comments compelled him to hold a press briefing where he openly criticised Ruto's administration for labelling Kenyan youths as 'terrorists'.
"That statement I made in Mombasa, I was pushed by my sons. Everybody listens to their children. They told me Ruto called the youths criminals. My children sat me down and told me, 'Dad, your boss has called us criminals'," Gachagua revealed.
"They told me that I must immediately release a press statement and address the matter. I heard them because they are my children," the former DP added.
Gachagua went ahead to commend the youths, emphasising their strong potential in influencing critical decisions in the country's leadership and governance.
He went ahead to urge them to take a firm stand for the betterment of the country's future, adding that their voice will be a determinant in the 2027 general elections.
"Once you guys decide what should happen to this country, your voice matters. I tell you, nobody will argue with you. If you do the right thing, then history will judge you kindly," Gachagua said.
Gachagua's sentiments come hardly a year after he convened a press conference in Mombasa, addressing the anti-Finance Bill protests, which had plunged the country into chaos.
During the presser, which was held in June 2024, the DCP leader pleaded with the youth to end the demonstrations and acknowledged the government's failure to address critical issues affecting Kenyans.
While addressing journalists, Gachagua attributed the unrest to NIS Boss Noordin Haji, claiming that the top security organ was dysfunctional by allegedly failing to inform the government in advance of the planned protests.
"Had the NIS briefed the president two months ago about how the people feel about the Finance Bill, so many Kenyans would not have died," the former DP revealed.
Adding, "The NIS boss slept on the job, it had to take people to die, protests across the country for the president to know the truth."
