Wetang'ula, Barasa blast bishops, envoys over Gen Z protests

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa during funds drive for Likuyani Women groups at Matunda Salvation army primary school in Likuyani, Kakamega county on June 27,2025. [Benjamin Sakwa/ Standard] National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and President William Ruto's allies have hit out at envoys and Catholic bishops, accusing them of doublespeak for supporting demonstrations that risk sliding the country into anarchy. Speaking on Friday during a women empowerment programme at Matunda Comprehensive School in Likuyani on Friday, Wetang'ula told the envoys and Bishops to keep off the affairs of President William Ruto's administration and instead preach peace and unity. "I have seen our bishops saying demonstrations must go on, and that is their right. I have also seen our ambassadors from our friendly countries going on the media to support demonstrators," said Wetangula. He added, "They don't need to tell us because our constitution is very clear that anyone can picket, demonstrate and present a petition to any public office, and we don't want to be reminded by anybody." Wetangula challenged the bishops and envoys to break their silence in the aftermath of Wednesday's protest. "Now that what happened on Wednesday happened, I would also want to hear the voice of our bishops and envoys if what they saw, the mayhem, destruction and deaths, is the right thing or what they desired to see," said Wetang'ula. Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa called out politicians who allegedly incited goons to infiltrate the recent June 25, 2025 demonstrations. Barasa said the looting and violence diverted the attention from the main intention of the Gen Zs to commemorate the 2024 lost souls. "Our young men went to the streets peacefully but some people hired goons who destroyed property, we saw supermarkets and ATMs being invaded. As leaders we condemn the heinous acts witnessed on that day," Barasa said. He faulted the slogan by Rigathi Gachagua, Former Deputy President's 'skiza ground' slogan saying elected leaders are the ones on the ground listening to the electorate. Barasa said the governors from the Western region support the broad-based government, accusing Gachagua of advancing violence and anarchy. "We are united as a country, and I want to tell Gachagua who is saying that the empowerment programs we are doing should stop, and I want to tell him that we are listening to the people and we will continue with empowerment programmes to support women and youths," said Barasa. Barasa accused the opposition of sponsoring goons to infiltrate the Gen-Zs' peaceful demonstrations. "We are supporting our young people and we are behind peaceful demonstrations, but we are seeing Gachagua and his people sponsoring violent demonstrations in our country, and we want to tell our Cabinet Secretary for Interior, Kipchumba Murkomen, to take action against those sponsoring violence and chaos." He added, "Through the political pact between the President and Raila, we are now seeing money for the construction of roads being allocated in the budget. We know the Matunda-Brigadia road is for the national government and the Kakamega governor. I have allocated money for the construction of the Kona-Mbaya road and Likuyani Industrial Park," said Barasa. Wetangula called for respect towards the leadership of the country and the people, asking Chief Justice Martha Koome to uphold the law and order. "I want to ask the Chief Justice to also play her part in maintaining and sustaining law and order in Kenya and to protect the innocent from any unfair treatment and punish the wrongdoers," said Wetang'ula. He added, "We saw in America when people went to attack the White House, people were killed and nobody talked. When we had demonstrations in Los Angeles, President Donald Trump sent military and arrested people who were taken to court and jail, and therefore, we must have law and order." In a bold pastoral letter released earlier in the week, the bishops called for accountability in governance and endorsed the demonstrations as a legitimate form of public expression. They also demanded justice for dozens of young people killed during recent protests. But Wetang'ula warned that such actions from respected religious leaders could deepen national divisions and undermine the rule of law. "As leaders, we must all operate within the law. No one should encourage anarchy, especially those who wield influence over millions of faithful. Kenya needs healing and dialogue, not provocation and incitement," he said. He added that while the Constitution guarantees the right to demonstrate, protests must be peaceful and not disrupt public order or lead to the destruction of property. Wetang'ula further urged the youth to avoid being misled by what he described as political opportunists hiding behind activism. He said the country could only move forward through structured dialogue, not street confrontations. "Our young people must know that their energy is needed to build the nation, not burn it down. Let us channel our frustrations into productivity and positive civic engagement," he said. He also said that people were killed, and women raped but no action has been taken. "Women were being raped at Thika road and others killed, why are the same bishops innocent? They should also come out without taking sides and tell us if what happened was good," he said. Wetang'ula appealed for calmness and urged Kenyans to reject leaders who thrive on division. He emphasised the need for the Church to act as a neutral voice for peace and reconciliation, especially during moments of national tension. "As a country, we've come a long way. Let's not take steps backwards. We must all play our role in preserving the unity and future of this great nation," he said. Kericho Senator Aron Cheruyiot called for accountability from the church and envoys following the aftermath of the Gen-Z protests and the violence being funded by the opposition. "I have seen even churches, Bishops have written letters demanding that protests must go on, but surprisingly, the same people they have been supporting have burnt church offices and police stations, and that is not peaceful demonstrations," said Cheruyiot. The Senate majority whip said the government supports the young people but urged them to protest peacefully as enshrined in the Constitution and differentiate themselves from the goons so that they are not seen as hiding behind the demos to loot and advance a selfish agenda," she said. "I saw the ambassadors of other countries supporting protests, and I want to tell them to stop the hypocrisy because even what is happening in Kenya does not happen in their country, and I want to ask them to be genuine friends of Kenya," said Cheruyiot. He added, "Three weeks ago, we saw demonstrations in Liverpool, and within little time, people were arrested same was happening in Los Angeles, and as we speak, people are in jail. I want to tell our judiciary to stop the nonsense of releasing those who destroy and steal people's properties on petty cash, let them be punished accordingly." South Mugirango MP Sylvanus Osoro asked the opposition to wait for five years to change the country's leadership, and not by sponsoring violence through demonstrations. "We must respect the constitution, which allows elections after five years, and if they want to change the leadership, let them wait after five years. Violence and protests will not help them, and let the judiciary play its role by putting to account the wrongdoers," said Osoro.

Wetang'ula, Barasa blast bishops, envoys over Gen Z protests

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