Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has broken his silence following the deadly June 25 protests, accusing President William Ruto’s government of orchestrating the violence and looting that marred what began as peaceful Gen Z-led demonstrations.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, June 26, Gachagua condemned the use of live bullets and excessive force by police officers, blaming the state for provoking chaos while attempting to deflect blame onto the protesters.
“This regime blocked thousands of genuine Gen Z demonstrators on Kiambu and Thika roads while allowing goons into the Nairobi CBD to loot and destroy property,” Gachagua claimed. He said that the targeting of specific businesses was politically motivated and coordinated by Nairobi County officials aligned with the ruling regime.
Gachagua further accused the Interior Ministry of facilitating state-backed violence and intimidation, claiming the government deliberately switched off TV signals to shield state-sponsored looters from media scrutiny.
He also dismissed Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen’s narrative that framed the protests as a Kikuyu uprising.
In a sharp rebuttal, Gachagua said such profiling of the Kikuyu community and the scapegoating of opposition leaders was an outdated tactic to silence dissent. “Kenyans resisted colonialism and dictatorship. They will resist this too,” he declared.
The DCP leader maintained that the youth-led movement required no political direction or funding, saying, “They have faced your violence, shed their blood, and remain unbowed. They embody the true spirit of Kenyan patriotism.”
He urged President Ruto to stop dismissing the Gen Z voice and reflect on the legacy he is building. “When the story of this era is written, consider very carefully what your legacy will be,” Gachagua warned.
In a show of solidarity with the victims of police brutality and the business community affected by the unrest, Gachagua announced the postponement of his scheduled media engagement in Embu and a public event in the county this weekend.
