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Gen Z demos: MPs demand action against Gachagua

Gen Z demos: MPs demand action against Gachagua
The National Assembly in a past session. Several pro-government MPs have called for action aacc former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of orchestrating violence during Wednesday’s protests. PHOTO/Print

Several government-allied MPs are calling for action against former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom they accuse of orchestrating violence during the June 25 protests. They simultaneously urged President William Ruto and police to deal firmly with criminal gangs infiltrating Gen Z demonstrations.

MPs Didmus Barasa (Kimimini), Japeth Nyakundi (Kitutu Chache North), Mark Nyamita (Uriri), Irene Mayaka (nominated), and Trans Nzoia Woman Rep Lilian Siyoi condemned the nationwide violence, attributing it to incitement and political interference.

Police constraints

Barasa argued that court-imposed restrictions on police use of force have left officers powerless during unrest. “We watched as goons destroyed property while police stood helplessly because they have been gagged by the courts. The guns they are carrying are now just toys. An African police officer is feared because of his ability to use his weapon. Once you gag that officer, you endanger his life too,” he said.

He demanded police be allowed to use judgment in violent situations and called for Gachagua’s immediate arrest. “We are demanding the immediate arrest of the former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for mobilising goons to target business enterprises,” Barasa stated, though he provided no evidence.

Nyamita charged that politicians had infiltrated the protests and urged police to investigate all violence perpetrators. “Do not allow the political class to use you for their selfish interests. The protests was about commemorating the deaths recorded last year. Does it mean that next year we will be remembering again the deaths that occurred yesterday?” he asked.

The Uriri lawmaker advocated for peaceful change through elections: “The 2027 elections will be in two years’ time. Those with different views from President Ruto’s administration must wait and make their choices at the ballot. This idea of marching to the State House is unacceptable.”

Parliamentary drama

Migori Woman Rep Fatuma Mohammed characterised the protests as an attempted overthrow of the government. “What we witnessed was not a peaceful protest. It was an attempt to overthrow the government. When you became the President, you were given a sword. Please use it,” she told Ruto.

In the National Assembly, heated exchanges erupted during debate on a motion calling for investigations into politicians allegedly involved in planning, mobilising, financing, and inciting violence.

Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who authored the motion, named Gachagua (who was impeached late last year) and MPs John Kaguchia (Mukurweini), Benjamin Gathiru alias Major Donk (Embakasi Central), James Gakuya (Embakasi North), and Senator Dan Maanzo as individuals involved in mobilising demonstrators.

‘Attempted coup’

Junet claimed the events constituted an rather than peaceful demonstrations. “If you want to remove William Ruto as the President of Kenya, wait for August 2027. Kenya is a constitutional democracy. Let people not hide under Gen Z to take over,” he said.

He alleged the demonstrations were coordinated, with looting occurring in Gachagua’s strongholds including Nyeri, Juja, Murang’a, and Thika. “What happened yesterday was not the normal demonstration, it was not a Gen Z demonstration, it was a political event aimed at overthrowing the government,” Junet stated.

He described what he called ethnic mobilisation: “The kind of ethnic mobilisation that we saw yesterday was something else – why do you carry people from Muranga, Juja, Kiambu etc? What happened yesterday was ethnic mobilisation to fight and overthrow the Constitution.”

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah made serious allegations about threats to his elderly parents. He claimed his father and 85-year-old wife were targeted during demonstrations, alleging Gachagua directed violence against his family and property in Kikuyu as revenge.

“Yesterday there was an attempt to kill my 105-year-old father just because I’m the leader of the majority,” Ichung’wah said. “Hon Gachagua is the one who mobilised goons to destroy my property and property of the people in Kikuyu.”

He noted that destruction primarily targeted Mt Kenya region businesses: “The wanton destruction of property was visited largely on the people of the Mt Kenya region, where I come from, on businesses owned by the people of Mt Kenya.”

Suba North MP Millie Odhiambo said: “I don’t think people understand what it means to go to the streets. I understand when the Gen Zs are writing letters to their parents saying we may not come back.”

Defence and counter-arguments

MPs allied to Gachagua defended him, demanding colleagues stop mentioning his name without substantive motions. Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia said it was unacceptable to implicate Gachagua, arguing he didn’t mobilise protesters from other counties.

Kitutu Chache MP Anthony Kibagendi urged proper legal procedures: “Have Gachagua arrested in accordance with the law instead of mudslinging him.”

Kathiani MP Robert Mbui criticised the government’s approach to freedoms while condemning property destruction. “We must be careful because when you look at the way this motion is worded, we seem more concerned about the property that was damaged and we are not talking about the 10 people that lost their lives yesterday. We are not talking about the 60 that lost their lives last year,” he said.

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