Gachagua warns Gen Z against June 25 protests, alleges state‑planned chaos

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged Gen Z to avoid the planned June 25 protests, warning they could turn violent and lead to loss of lives based on what he described as credible information on possible disruptions.

The planned protests are meant to commemorate young Kenyans who died during anti-government demonstrations in 2024 and 2025, with families of the victims calling on citizens to demand justice and accountability.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, Gachagua alleged that intelligence information shows that some individuals had organised groups to cause chaos in Nairobi, Mt Kenya region and other areas, then blame the opposition.

“I have credible intelligence that Kipchumba Murkomen (Interior CS) and Raymond Omollo (Interior PS), using Moses Kuria and Kimani Ichungwah, Susan Kihika from Nakuru, and other UDA leaders allied to William Ruto, have organised guns to cause terror and mayhem in Nairobi and the Mount Kenya region and blame the opposition,” Gachagua said. He further claimed that Sh200 million had been withdrawn from a bank account linked to confidential expenditure at the State Department of Internal Security to support the planned activities.

“Senior police officers have told us in confidence that they are very uncomfortable with the instructions they have been given personally by Kipchumba Murkomen that they should stay off and let the goons destroy businesses, light bonfires, and create chaos,” he said, adding that the groups involved in the violence would be accompanied by plain-clothes officers and that innocent Kenyans would later be arrested.

“The senior police officers have told us they have been told to intervene after the goons have done their work and left, and then descend on ordinary Kenyans, innocent people, arrest them and charge them with crimes under the Terrorism Act,” he added.

Gachagua said he had also been informed that leaders from the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) had been targeted so they could be blamed for violence. He accused the National Police Service of allowing criminal groups to operate under the leadership of CS Murkomen.

He appealed to Gen Z to avoid taking part in the demonstrations, saying there was a constitutional avenue to address grievances through elections. He emphasised that avoiding protests should not be viewed as surrender.

“Looking at the situation, I want to appeal to the Gen Z's with a lot of humility and kindness to consider not going out to the streets, these are our children and grandchildren whom we need next year to help us liberate this country through the ballot from the violence that has been planned by the state using police and goons,” he said.

“I do not doubt in my mind that lives will be lost. These are young children who have a great future and who need an opportunity to live their full lives. I want to persuade them with a lot of humility that retreat is not surrender, and strategy is not cowardice."

He asked Kenyans to use constitutional means to seek change during the next election.

Gachagua also asked business owners in Nairobi, the Mt Kenya region, Kajiado and Narok to keep their businesses closed on June 25 and urged workers to remain at home.

He also urged Kenyans to avoid travelling and remain indoors.

“I urge you to keep off the road, stay at home. There is no need to expose yourself and your motor vehicles to danger. Stay at home, read, watch TV, and play with your children and your grandchildren,” he said.

Gachagua also asked parents to keep their children indoors during the protests. He said staying at home would send a message without exposing Kenyans to danger.

“I think if all Kenyans stayed at home, we would have made a very big statement. Stop the country, stop the economy is a very effective way of protest,” Gachagua said.

He maintained that Kenyans would have an opportunity to address their concerns through the ballot.