Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has urged Kenyans to avoid the streets on Thursday during planned Gen Z commemoration protests. He claimed the state has authorized a violent crackdown under the guise of civilian unrest in the Mt. Kenya region.
Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Gachagua said he felt compelled to comment after receiving intelligence reports suggesting a coordinated plan to unleash hired gangs in selected counties. He said the move was driven by concerns about public safety after earlier demonstrations turned deadly.
“I wish to address myself on the planned Gen Z commemoration protests. During the last two demos, lives were lost and businesses were destroyed. To those whose lives have been lost over the last four years, this is not what 55 million Kenyans envisioned,” he said.
The former Deputy President also criticized a senior Cabinet secretary whom he described as a notorious warmonger. He accused the official of saying openly that the demonstrations would be witnessed only in Mt Kenya.
“A very notorious CS and warmonger stated that demos would only be witnessed in Mt Kenya. This is not just a statement from nowhere,” he said.
Gachagua further alleged a coordinated plot involving Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, Nakuru Senator Tabitha Karanja Kihika and others. He said the group planned to finance and deploy “goons” in the Mt Kenya region to cause disruption.
“I have intelligence that Murkomen, Omollo, Kihika, and others have organised goons to cause mayhem in Mt Kenya. Two hundred million shillings was withdrawn today in Upperhill from the Interior account, meant to finance goons for Thursday,” he claimed.
According to Gachagua, senior officers within the police service expressed concern over instructions telling them to stand down during the planned protests. He said the officers were uncomfortable with what he described as orders that would allow hired gangs to operate without restraint.
“Senior police officers have told us they are uncomfortable with instructions that they should keep away and let goons cause chaos in the region,” he said.
He expanded on these allegations by claiming that the “notorious Nairobi Sierra Squad,” operating under the Interior CS, is coordinating the entire operation. According to him, these operatives are specifically targeting DCP strongholds to deliberately tarnish the party’s leadership.
“I have been informed that DCP strongholds have been targeted so that the leader can be blamed alongside leaders who support him,” he said.
Turning his attention to recent media appearances, Gachagua mocked Murkomen’s interview on Citizen TV. He noted that the CS struggled to explain why armed thugs were present during the recent unrest, ultimately dismissing them as mere security guards.
“Murkomen could not explain goons on Citizen TV, alleging that they are watchmen,” he said.
Directly addressing the younger generation, Gachagua urged Gen Z protesters to skip Thursday’s scheduled demonstrations and instead channel their energy into the 2027 general election.
“I would kindly appeal to the Gen Zs to keep off the streets on Thursday. We need them next year. Retreat is not surrender, and it is not cowardice. There is a better way to deal with Ruto constitutionally,” he said.
He underscored the danger by warning that these hired agitators are not ordinary criminals, but rather operatives working with direct police shielding.
“Kipchumba Murkomen cannot condemn the goons, because he is the one who has hired them and is paying them. They come under the protection of police, cause mayhem, and disappear under their protection, and they are left killing innocent Kenyans,” he said.
“Please, my sons and daughters, you cannot vote when you are dead.”
The DCP leader expanded his appeal to a broader audience, asking business owners, motorists, and workers across Nairobi, the Central region, Kajiado, and Narok to shut down their establishments, stay off the roads, and keep their children at home.
In a final, passionate call to action, Gachagua advocated for a nationwide stay-at-home protest. He framed the strike as a far more powerful and significantly safer alternative to marching in the streets.
“I ask all Kenyans on Thursday to stay indoors, stay at home, and avoid the state-sponsored militia organised by Kipchumba Murkomen, who is ruthless. There is no need for you to make a point, then you end up in a casket,” he said.
