Published on: June 28, 2025 12:52 (EAT)

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has dismissed allegations linking him to the funding and coordination of goons who infiltrated the June 25th Gen Z-led protests, instead shifting blame to the Ministry of Interior and accusing the state of sponsoring the violence witnessed across several counties.

In an interview with NTV on Friday, Gachagua rubbished claims that he or any political actor could have masterminded and coordinated activities across 26 counties, asserting that the Gen Z movement is “leaderless, tribeless and has no structure.”

“It is playing around with Kenyans to imagine Rigathi Gachagua or anybody else can coordinate activities in 26 counties at the same time,” Gachagua said.

He took issue with Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, accusing him of failing in his mandate by allowing goons to loot and wreak havoc under the watch of law enforcement officers.

“If these activities were planned, we have the National Intelligence Service (NIS), where were they? If they did not know, then they slept on the job... they are not supposed to be in office. If they knew and did not do anything about it then they are guilty of failing to stop anarchy and violence,” he charged.

Gachagua further claimed that the real violence began after 6 pm, alleging that police stood by as organised criminals looted businesses under the cover of darkness.

“Many protesters were arrested others were killed. Not a single goon was shot or arrested. This happened on Wednesday, today is Friday, none of the goons have been arrested,” he questioned.

The former deputy president stated emphatically that the violence was not from within the Gen Z movement, which had staged largely peaceful demonstrations. He blamed the mayhem on alleged state infiltration meant to discredit the protests and create justification for a crackdown.

“If they had intelligence that the goons had been paid by Rigathi Gachagua or anybody else, why did they not arrest them? If these were my goons today, they would have been shot dead... they would be in custody. Why did they supervise goons wreak havoc in Nairobi?” he asked.

Gachagua concluded by calling on CS Murkomen to “respect the intelligence of Kenyans,” warning that state attempts to scapegoat peaceful demonstrators would only worsen public distrust.

“The CS Interior (Kipchumba Murkomen) must respect Kenyans. People are not stupid. The real goons came after 6pm. The looting was done in darkness. Why were the goons not arrested or shot?" he posed.