DPP links Gachagua associates to coordinated terror attack on Kikuyu government offices

DPP links Gachagua associates to coordinated terror attack on Kikuyu government offices

The two were arrested on July 4, 2025, without a warrant, and were expected to be charged at the Kahawa Law Courts on July 7.

The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Renson Ingonga, has approved terrorism charges against two close associates of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over a coordinated attack that caused extensive damage to government buildings in Kikuyu town, Kiambu County, during the June 25 Gen Z anniversary protests.

According to a charge sheet filed at the Kahawa Law Courts on Monday, Peter Kinyanjui Wanjiru, also known as Kawanjiru, and Serah Wanjiku Thiga are jointly accused of committing a terrorist act, in violation of Section 4(1) of the Prevention of Terrorism Act No. 30 of 2012.

“On the 25th day of June 2025 between 1200 hours and 2300 hours in the Kikuyu area within Kiambu County, you and others before the court, committed a terrorist act which resulted in serious damage to Government Offices and Buildings…,” the charge sheet reads in part.

According to the DPP, the affected buildings include the Kikuyu Probation Offices, Kikuyu Law Courts, Kikuyu Sub-County Offices, the chief's office, the Registrar of Persons’ offices, the sub-county education office, sub-county accountant’s office, Registrar of Lands offices, Dagoretti Police Post, and the office of the Kikuyu Deputy County Commissioner, among others.

The two were arrested on July 4, 2025, without a warrant, and were expected to be charged at the Kahawa Law Courts on July 7.

The DPP said they will remain in custody pending court proceedings.

The case is being prosecuted by the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions through the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI), specifically the Anti-Terrorism Police Unit (ATPU) Nairobi detachment.

One of the main witnesses in the case has been identified as M. Benard, with additional witnesses yet to be disclosed.

The ODPP has marked the case for remand, indicating that no bond or bail application has been granted so far.

Last week, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) condemned the police for rearresting Wanjiru at the Ruiru Law Courts immediately after he was freed on bond. According to JSC, anti-terror officers discharged firearms within court precincts despite no threat.

“Courts are sacred spaces of constitutional adjudication. They are to be respected, protected and preserved… The sanctity of the court must be preserved at all costs,” the commission said.

JSC termed the police conduct “excessive and unjustified” and warned that arrests must respect judicial authority.

Gachagua blames Interior Ministry

Meanwhile, Gachagua has denied funding or coordinating the chaos, instead blaming the Interior Ministry.

“It is playing around with Kenyans to imagine Rigathi Gachagua or anybody else can coordinate activities in 26 counties at the same time,” he told NTV.

He accused Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen of allowing criminals to loot while police stood by.

“Many protesters were arrested… but not a single goon was shot or arrested. If these were my goons, they’d be dead or in custody,” he said.

Gachagua also questioned the National Intelligence Service’s failure to detect or stop the violence.

He maintained the Gen Z protests were peaceful until nightfall, claiming the violence was a state ploy to justify the crackdown.

“If they didn’t know, they slept on the job. If they knew and did nothing, then they are guilty of failing to stop anarchy,” he said.

“The CS Interior must respect Kenyans. People are not stupid… The looting was done in darkness. Why were the goons not arrested or shot?”

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