DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged Kenyans to stay off the streets during Thursday’s planned Gen Z commemoration protests, alleging that the government has sanctioned a violent crackdown disguised as civilian unrest in the Mt Kenya region.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Gachagua said he had received intelligence reports indicating a coordinated plan to deploy hired gangs in selected counties to disrupt the demonstrations.
“I wished to address myself on the planned Gen Z commemoration protests. During the last two demos, lives were lost and businesses were destroyed. To those whose lives have been lost over the last four years, this is not what 55 million Kenyans envisioned,” he said.
The former Deputy President also criticised a senior Cabinet Secretary he described as a “warmonger”, claiming the official had publicly suggested that the demonstrations would only take place in the Mt Kenya region.
“A very notorious CS and warmonger stated that demos would only be witnessed in Mt Kenya. This is not just a statement from nowhere,” Gachagua said.
He further alleged that Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja and others had organised and financed groups to cause chaos in the region.
“I have intelligence that Murkomen, Omollo, Kihika and others have organised goons to cause mayhem in Mt Kenya. Two hundred million shillings was withdrawn today in Upperhill from the Interior account, meant to finance goons for Thursday,” he claimed.
According to Gachagua, some senior police officers had privately expressed discomfort with alleged instructions to stand down and allow the gangs to operate.
“Senior police officers have told us they are uncomfortable with instructions that they should keep away and let goons cause chaos in the region,” he said.
He also claimed that the operation was being coordinated by what he termed the “Nairobi Sierra Squad” under the Interior Ministry and that areas considered strongholds of his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) had been specifically targeted.
“I have been informed that DCP strongholds have been targeted so that the leader can be blamed alongside leaders who support him,” he said.
Gachagua also took issue with Murkomen’s recent appearance on Citizen TV, where the CS reportedly referred to some of the individuals seen during previous unrest as watchmen.
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“Murkomen could not explain goons on Citizen TV, alleging that they are watchmen,” he said.
Addressing Gen Z protesters directly, Gachagua urged them to avoid Thursday’s demonstrations and instead pursue change through constitutional means and the ballot.
“I would kindly appeal to the Gen Zs to keep off the streets on Thursday. We need them next year. Retreat is not surrender and it is not cowardice. There is a better way to deal with Ruto constitutionally,” he said.
He alleged that the groups expected to cause chaos were operating with police protection.
“Kipchumba Murkomen cannot condemn the goons because he is the one who has hired them and is paying them. They come under the protection of police, cause mayhem, disappear under their protection, and they are left killing innocent Kenyans,” he claimed, adding: “Please, my sons and daughters, you cannot vote when you are dead.”
The DCP leader also appealed to business owners, motorists, and workers in Nairobi, the wider Central region, Kajiado, and Narok counties to remain indoors, keep their businesses closed, and avoid unnecessary travel.
He called for a nationwide stay-at-home protest, describing it as a safer and more effective alternative to street demonstrations.
“I ask all Kenyans on Thursday to stay indoors, stay at home, and avoid the state-sponsored militia organised by Kipchumba Murkomen, who is ruthless. There is no need for you to make a point, then you end up in a casket,” he said.
Murkomen and the Interior Ministry had not publicly responded to the allegations by the time of publication.
