DPP approves charges against 5 politicians over links to anti-govt protests

The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) has approved charges against five allies of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over alleged financing of the recent anti-government protests.

In a letter addressed to the Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) Amin Mohamed on Thursday, the ODPP stated that there is enough evidence to proceed with charges against the suspects.

"I write with reference to the above subject matter and your letter reference DCI/IB/SEC/4/4/1/VOL XXXIII/I dated September 24, 2024. The inquiry file was placed before the Director of Public Prosecutions for perusal and directions. Upon careful perusal, the DPP has directed that there is sufficient evidence to charge the suspects with the offence of conspiracy to commit felony contrary to section 393 of the Penal Code," the letter reads.

The letter, signed by Senior Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Vincent Monda, also noted that a separate inquiry file should be opened for possible money laundering and financial crimes.

The DCI had previously recommended charging politicians aligned with Gachagua for various offences related to recent anti-government protests.

Many of these individuals were interrogated by the DCI, which also suggested that some should be charged with soliciting or inciting others to commit offences under section 391 of the Penal Code.

In response to these developments, DP Gachagua expressed concerns over the DCI's recommendations to charge his aides and two MPs.

He described the proposed charges as a political manoeuvre.

"The use of the criminal justice system to manage politics is an outdated political strategy that was used in the past," Gachagua said.

"I am embarrassed that we are back to where we were. Harassment of my office staff and members of Parliament perceived to be close to me has been going on for the last two months,” he added.

The DP further claimed that the DCI's proposal aims to tarnish his name and that of his office by attempting to connect him to the protests that occurred in June.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki had affirmed that the DCI had sufficient evidence implicating the five politicians in facilitating the recent Gen Z protests.

During his appearance before the National Assembly Committee on Administration and Internal Security on Thursday, Kindiki stated that the DCI plans to charge these individuals soon.

He emphasised that the government will not tolerate a repeat of the violence that erupted in June and July.

"I am informed by DCI that high-level prosecutions will ensue anytime from now, including political leaders who financed, and we have evidence, they financed people to loot shops, to kill Kenyans, expose them to danger, and we cannot countenance the kind of mayhem we saw in July and June for whatever reason," Kindiki said.

The CS insisted that the government cannot allow the mayhem experienced in June and July to occur again.

"And that's why I've said this job is a very unpopular job. We will do it. We are going to prosecute high-level people who assisted criminals to harm other people, to destroy infrastructure, and they have even made an attempt to actually bring down such a serious institution like the Parliament to the people of Kenya," Kindiki said.