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Three top aides of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were yesterday grilled over claims they financed chaos in the anti-government protests by the youth across the country.

Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) officers visited the DP’s Karen residence where the statements of the three were recorded after they were grilled for hours.

They have been identified as political advisor Ngunjiri Wambugu, youth advisor George Theuri and Private Secretary Munene wa Mumbi. Theuri is a former Embakasi West MP while Ngunjiri served as the Nyeri Town MP in the last Parliament.

Sources revealed that the detectives also grilled two sitting MPs who have been very vocal in their support for the DP in recent months.

The two, who we cannot name for legal reasons, represent constituencies in Nairobi.

The probe seeks to establish the sponsors of the demonstrations and the people behind the financing of the protests and looting of businesses in Nairobi and parts of Central Kenya and Rift Valley.

Politicians grilled

Police said they expect to record statements from more politicians including a former governor over the chaos. The individuals had been summoned to the DCI headquarters for grilling on separate dates. Police claim the individuals organized goons who raided shops and other premises to loot as Gen Z staged protests in the city.

They have denied the claims and so far, there is scanty evidence linking the individuals for now.

“The probe seeks to establish more information on the alleged role the individuals played in the chaos. The detectives handling the probe have been relying on intelligence,” a senior detective who sought anonymity said.

Some intelligence reports have revealed that at least two politicians paid the goons to raid premises and loot and blame the same on the protesters. Another report suggests a politician paid goons to attack a government office and burn it. Police are rushing against time to ensure there is evidence if any to charge the accused persons.

The protests were initially peaceful before goons invaded and started to loot property. The mainly Gen-Z-led demonstrations have taken the government by surprise, with President William Ruto declining to sign the Finance Bill 2024.

On Thursday last week, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri shifted the blame to the Mt Kenya region for Raila allies’ entry into President William Ruto’s cabinet.

Cabinet restructuring

Speaking during an interview with a local TV station, Kiunjuri claimed that Ruto is not to blame for Raila’s entry to cabinet but rather the Mt Kenya region who sought him.

Kiunjuri further said that the Gen Z-led protests were infiltrated by goons funded to overthrow the government.

He claimed that about 10,000 goons were funded by some individuals to overthrow the government during the protests.

Kiunjuri further claimed that some sitting MPs with the help of others who were not in power, funded another 20,000 individuals to cause havoc and mayhem during the protests.

“The day parliament was attacked, four politicians from our region brought 20,000 protesters. The office that offered the funding is known by the government. A pig fries itself with its fat. They were our people and some have already recorded statements,” he said.

He claimed the government itself has evidence to show who brought people to intrude in the protests.

Kiunjuri’s statements followed President William Ruto’s accusation that the Ford Foundation, an American organisation, was sponsoring anti-government protests in Kenya.

“Those who are sponsoring the violence, we know them, and I want to call out those who are behind the anarchy in Kenya. Shame on them!” President Ruto said. The young people in Kenya are not available to cause violence and anarchy in their own country. If they (Ford Foundation) are not interested in democracy in Kenya, they should either style up or ship out,” said Ruto.

Rigathi has on his part placed the blame on the Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS) Noordin Haji, demanding his resignation for allegedly failing to advise the President accordingly over the protests. Last month, Gachagua at a media briefing in Mombasa, accused Haji of incompetence, and demanded that he resigns forthwith.