Bunge La Wananchi warns politicians against using goons during June 25 protests

Nairobi-based civic movement group, also known as the Bunge La Wananchi, on Saturday warned politicians against hiring youths to disrupt peaceful protests planned for June 25 to commemorate the first anniversary of the invasion of Parliament by anti-Finance Bill demonstrators.

The organisation that conducts its debates in Nairobi's Jeevanjee Gardens organised a session to urge its members to desist from falling into the trap of politicians who use youths to cause mayhem to achieve their personal political goals.

Bunge La Wananchi Chairman Robert Kiberenge told The Eastleigh Voice that they are aware that politicians had used youths to infiltrate this week's Tuesday protests that turned chaotic.

"We know that selfish politicians hired youths to cause chaos in the city in order to cast the protests as untenable. It is sad that instead of empowering youths, they are using them," said Kiberenge.

He warned that if not contained, the violence orchestrated by hired youths may spiral out of control. He went ahead to ask the police to stop working in tandem with the hired goons.

"We were shocked to watch police working together with hired youths to assault peaceful protesters. This is wrong and an indicator of anarchy," Kiberenge protested.

The group wants the rule of law to be adhered to during protests, warning that the country risks becoming ungovernable.

"This country belongs to all of us. If it descends to chaos, then all of us are bound to suffer the consequences of the anarchy that the political leadership who are hiring goons are now perpetuating," added Kiberenge.

Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja has dismissed allegations that he orchestrated a plan where goons infiltrated the Tuesday, June 17, protests, citing that he was outside the city.

Reports that had circulated online alleged that the Nairobi governor secretly met with self-proclaimed Bunge la Mwananchi president Calvin Okoth Otieno alias Gaucho and Swaleh Sonko on Sunday, June 15, to coordinate the disruption of the peaceful protests that called for the resignation of Deputy Police Inspector General Eliud Lagat over his links to teacher Albert Ojwang's murder.

In the said meeting, Sakaja is alleged to have facilitated them with Sh2 million to neutralise the protesters.

In response, Sakaja termed the allegations as 'blatant lies' and revealed that he was in Lugari, Kakamega, for church and returned to Nairobi the following day.

To back his statement, Sakaja provided a screenshot of the air ticket he booked via Skywards. Further, he denied holding talks with either Gaucho or Swaleh, firmly denying any recent meeting.

"Such blatant lies. On Sunday, I was in Lugari for Church and came back to Nairobi on Monday afternoon through Kitale via Skywards. Ticket below. I have not seen Gaucho since he attended the Mukuru Housing Launch or Swaleh in many months (everyone knows who he works for)," Sakaja posted on X.

Sakaja was implicated for sponsoring the goons who infiltrated the protests and caused chaos within the CBD.

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Armed with crude weapons, the goons went on a rampage, stealing from bystanders and protesters while also damaging business premises.

In a video that went viral online, the goons chanted 'Sakaja tumelinda jiji' as they passed outside City Hall during the demonstrations.

Prior to Tuesday's protests, Sakaja had issued a stern warning to those causing chaos during the demonstrations.

"Even if we are angry, let's not destroy our property. If we must demonstrate, let us do so peacefully. The next time anyone tries to destroy infrastructure, burn cars, steal from businesses, or cause chaos," he said during a women and youth empowerment event at Sambut Primary School in Kamagut Ward, on June 14, 2025.

The Bunge La Wananchi appeal on the planned Wednesday protests came a day after the Boda Boda Safety Association distanced itself from the chaos witnessed during protests over the death of Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

Speaking in Jeevanjee Gardens on Friday, the association's officials, led by their Secretary General, Dennis Achieng, declared that their members will not participate in the planned June 25 demonstrations, even as they expressed concern over the violence that unfolded on that day, allegedly perpetrated by motorbike-riding goons.

"We have seen the threats of chaos. We've heard the calls for protests and riots on 25th June 2025. But we say this clearly. We are not part of that destruction. We are not tools for political games. We are hustlers- and we ride for peace, dignity, and survival," the association said.

The members said they were aware of upcoming protests next week, cautioning that any form of unrest would negatively impact their businesses.

"One day of riots is one day of hunger in our homes. When roads are blocked, we don't earn. When shops close, our customers disappear. When police clash with rioters, it's our bikes that get burned and our people that get caught in the crossfire", the members warned as they called for protection.

"We urge the Government: protect our roads, protect our bikes, protect our lives. We are not looking for favours – we're asking for fairness. And to those planning to disrupt our routes and risk our safety, you don't speak for us. You don't care about our pain. Don't hide your chaos behind our helmets".

While acknowledging the right to picket, the association urged the organisers to maintain peace.

"We respect the Constitution. We believe in Article 37 – the right to assemble and protest. But only if it is peaceable and unarmed. No stone, no fire, no looting. Because once violence starts, the Constitution walks away. And so do we".

The police, through Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda, have assured city residents of enough security during the upcoming June 25 demonstrations to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 Occupy Parliament protests.