Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed that he received intelligence from police officers and civil servants warning of plans to unleash violence during the June 25, 2026 protests, crediting Gen Z protesters, traders and parents for heeding his call to stay away from the demonstrations.
In a strongly worded statement issued on Thursday, Gachagua reflected on the June 25, 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests and subsequent demonstrations, insisting that young Kenyans who took to the streets were exercising their constitutional rights rather than attacking the country.
“On 25th June 2024, our dear sons and daughters, and not criminals, exercised their democratic rights, and not an attack on Kenya, their nation,” Gachagua said.
The former Deputy President accused the government of failing to protect the lives of young Kenyans during protests over the last two years.
“Unfortunately, many lost their lives due to police brutality and state-sponsored militias. As if human life isn’t valued by this government, yet again in June 2025 and the 2025 Saba Saba Day, we lost more young and promising Kenyans under police bullets and state-sponsored goons,” he claimed.
According to Gachagua, the economic impact of the protests has not received enough attention despite businesses and property owners suffering significant losses.
“The value of businesses destroyed and property lost remains largely unspoken and unknown, but it runs into billions,” he said.
Gachagua Says June 25 Was a Day of Remembrance
The opposition leader described June 25, 2026 as more than just another date on the calendar, saying it served as a reminder of the lives lost during previous demonstrations.
“Today, 25th June 2026 wasn’t just another day in Kenya. We remembered what they did to our children. We shall never forget,” he stated.
Gachagua also extended his sympathies to families who lost loved ones and Kenyans whose businesses and livelihoods were destroyed.
“To the families who lost their loved ones then and to Kenyans whose property and livelihoods were destroyed, we shall never forget what they did to us. I stand with you and I understand your pain and grief.”
Former DP Thanks Gen Z and Traders for Staying Away
Gachagua thanked Gen Z protesters for listening to his appeal to avoid taking part in demonstrations, claiming he had information that violence had been planned.
“I sincerely thank my dear sons and daughters; the GenZs, for heeding my plea to avoid death and injury. They had planned to harm you in a big magnitude today,” he alleged.
The former Deputy President also praised business owners, traders and residents who shut down businesses and secured their communities.
“I further extend great thanks to the business people, traders and neighbourhoods for trusting my better judgement and information and shutting down your premises and securing your towns and communities; this deterred the looting and destruction by state-sponsored goons as they had planned.”
He added that it was unfortunate that traders had to take responsibility for protecting their own businesses.
“Sad as it is, that traders had to hire their own security to protect their properties from state-sponsored goons; this must now become the new normal until this careless administration is removed from power through the ballot on 10th August 2027.”
Gachagua further thanked millions of Kenyans and parents whom he said responded positively to his request to stay at home.
“Many thanks to the millions of Kenyans for heeding my request to stay at home to avoid death and injury.”
“Thank you, parents, for accepting my request to keep your children out of harm’s way.”
Gachagua Claims Police Officers and Civil Servants Tipped Him Off
The former Deputy President reserved special praise for police officers whom he said acted professionally during the demonstrations.
“To the professional police officers who acted with restraint and refrained from shooting the protesters whose pain was too much to bear and showed up on our streets, towns and cities to express themselves.”
“Thank you to the officers who didn’t shoot Kenyans today or kill any Kenyan.”
Gachagua went on to make explosive claims that some police officers and civil servants secretly shared intelligence with him regarding alleged plans to deploy goons and fund violence.
“Most importantly, I thank the patriotic police officers who tipped me off about the plans by Mr. Murkomen to use goons to harm Kenyans and destroy property,” he claimed.
“To the patriotic civil servants who tipped me off about the Kshs. 200 million withdrawn to pay goons to wreak havoc, on behalf of the people of Kenya, we thank you most sincerely.”
According to Gachagua, the information enabled him to advise Kenyans against participating in the demonstrations.
“It is this information that helped me guide the GenZs and Kenyans to avoid death, injury and destruction of property which they had plotted.”
“I am forever indebted to you, gallant officers.”
‘Tactical Retreat Is Not Surrender,’ Gachagua Tells Gen Z
Addressing the youth directly, Gachagua urged them not to interpret staying away from protests as a sign of weakness.
“To the GenZs, please know that tactical retreat is not surrender but strategy.”
“Let them know that caution is not cowardice but wisdom.”
He said he was humbled by the trust Kenyans had placed in him.
“I am humbled that Kenyans trusted my judgement, believed I am a truthful and honest man and that I do care for their welfare and that I value human life and human dignity.”
Calls for Voter Registration Ahead of 2027 Election
Gachagua used the statement to urge Kenyans to register as voters and prepare to use the ballot to bring about political change in the 2027 General Election.
“My solemn promise to you is that I will remain honest and will tell you the truth as it comes to me. I will do this with great courage, patriotism, responsibility and without fear or favour.”
“I plead with the people of Kenya to stay alive, stay safe and register as voters, for we all have a date with destiny to liberate our country on 10th August next year.”
“We shall liberate our country through the mechanism provided for by our Constitution; the ballot.”
He concluded by thanking Kenyans for maintaining peace on June 25 and described their decision to stay away from protests as a political statement.
“Today’s restraint by the people of Kenya is a vote of no confidence in this regime. It will serve as a lesson to future administrations that the people are supreme and they must be listened to.”
“I thank God for the peaceful day today and pray that we shall have peace in the days to come as we prepare for the General Elections.”
“God bless and protect Kenyans.”
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