Central Organization of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary-General Francis Atwoli has launched a scathing attack on political leaders and former Chief Justice David Maraga, accusing them of misleading Gen Z youth into participating in violent anti-government protests.
Speaking during a fundraiser at Burinda Catholic Church in Butula Constituency, Busia County, on Sunday, June 29, 2025, Atwoli said the recent wave of protests was no longer about peaceful demonstrations but had been hijacked by politicians with ulterior motives.
He further claimed that Maraga, who served as Kenya’s Chief Justice from 2016 to 2021, was spotted escorting his grandchildren to participate in destructive acts, including torching property during the protests.
“Wale watu mlikuwa manaona wanachoma police station wanachukua mabunduki, Gen Z hawaezi fanya kazi kama hiyo. Wale watu mliona barabarani, kina Maraga… Maraga alikuwa Chief Justice, yeye sio Gen Z. Anasindikiza wajukuu wake kwenda kuchoma mali ya watu,” Atwoli said.
Translation: “Those people you saw burning police stations and taking guns, that’s not something Gen Z can do. The people you saw in the streets, like Maraga… Maraga was the Chief Justice, he’s not Gen Z. He was escorting his grandchildren to go destroy people’s property.”
Atwoli claimed that the original intentions of Gen Z–who mobilized against the Finance Bill 2024–were hijacked by political players who turned the protests violent.
“Gen Z’s nia zao nzuri zilichukuliwa na wanasiasa,” he said, meaning “Gen Z’s good intentions were taken over by politicians.”
Gachagua blamed for chaos
Atwoli also took aim at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claiming he played a central role in inciting the protests and must be held responsible for the resulting chaos.
“Rigathi Gachagua must be held accountable. These protests are no longer spontaneous. They have been turned into organised chaos,” Atwoli said.
He warned that continued unrest could scare away investors and worsen the country’s economic situation.
Butula MP Joseph Oyula, who was present at the event, backed Atwoli’s sentiments and urged young people to refrain from violence and focus on building the nation.
As the country remains tense, Atwoli’s remarks have added to the growing national discourse on who is to blame for the Gen Z-led protests that have rocked Kenya in recent weeks.
Kenneth Mwenda
Kenneth Mwenda is a digital writer with over five years of experience. He graduated in February 2022 with a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from The Co-operative University of Kenya. He has written news and feature stories for platforms such as Construction Review Online, Sports Brief, Briefly News, and Criptonizando. In 2023, he completed a course in Digital Investigation Techniques with AFP. He joined K24 Digital in May 2025. For inquiries, he can be reached at [email protected].
