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Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pleaded with Gen Z to call off any subsequent protests in various parts of the country.

In a humble and suppliant tone, Gachagua asked the young people to end the protests to save the country from destruction and criminal activities.

Speaking during the burial of his elder sister Leah Wangari Muriuki in Nanyuki on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Second in Command expressed concern over the infiltration of peaceful protests by vandals and looters.

Gachagua noted that the criminals want to take advantage of the protests to wreak havoc in the country.

However, Gachagua pleaded with Gen Z to call off the protests and give dialogue a chance.

“My sons and daughters we have heard you call off the protests so that criminals do not hijack your peaceful protests,” Gachagua pleaded.

Gachagua pointed out that some of the issues raised during the protests are already on the discussion table and President William Ruto is ready to take action.

“As our children, you owe this country peace, please consider now that you have been heard,” Gachagua asked earnestly for the end of protests.

He further appealed to parents to help him spread the message of calling off the protests.

"My sons and daughters we have heard you call off the protests so that criminals do not hijack your peaceful protests," DP Gachagua to Gen Z pic.twitter.com/7kR4xmsb7u

— K24 TV (@K24Tv) July 3, 2024

Looting, vandalism cases

Gachagua’s statement comes hours after the Ministry of Interior condemned cases of looting and vandalism witnessed in various parts of the country.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki observed that the demos had been hijacked by goons thus pleading with the youth to suspend their planned protests.

CS Kindiki revealed that the government was aware of the plans to cause more mayhem on Thursday, July 4, 2024, and Sunday, July 7, 2024.

“The organisers of today’s orgy of violence in parts of Nairobi, Mombasa and several other parts of the country are reportedly planning to repeat their anarchic chaos and cruel plunder on Thursday and Sunday this week, and perhaps much more frequently in the future,” he said.

The Interior Cabinet Secretary, however, vowed to deal with the criminals head-on.

Raila reprimands government

However, former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has reprimanded the security officers for failing to deal with criminals who have hijacked the protests.

Raila accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of reluctance to deal with the suspects who caused mayhem on Tuesday, July 2, 2024.

“For thugs to hijack the protests and turn them into mayhem against innocent Kenyans amounts to a double betrayal of the youth. The bad manners have to be stopped,” Raila stated.

“People who are not the Gen Z that started the initial protests hijacked it, looted businesses, attacked innocent Kenyans and destroyed critical infrastructure.”

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