MPs clash over motion targeting Gachagua over protests anarchy

Traders ponder the next move after their shops were looted during the Gen Z protests in Nairobi, on June 26, 2025. [Boniface Okendo, Standard] After scampering for safety on Wednesday to escape the fury of protesting youths, lawmakers on Thursday returned to Parliament and placed the blame for the unrest squarely on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. In a tense session, MPs passed a motion urging the Inspector General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to urgently and thoroughly investigate the acts of lawlessness witnessed across the country the previous day. The debate, however, proved divisive, with a section of legislators rejecting claims that Gachagua and his allies had sponsored the nationwide protests. They criticised the State for trivialising the killing of unarmed Gen Z protesters and ignoring their genuine concerns. Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who moved the motion, called for the arrest of Gachagua and a probe into Embakasi North MP John Gakuya, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru (Meja Donk), and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo for allegedly mobilising goons to cause chaos in the capital. He also demanded investigations into current and former politicians allegedly involved in the planning, financing, mobilisation, and incitement of violent gangs and criminal elements. "What happened yesterday in our country was not the normal demonstrations. It was not a Gen-Z demonstration. It was a political event that was meant to overthrow the Constitution and the existing governance of this country," said Junet. ".... there was destruction of property in Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kikuyu and Nyamakima and that tells you who the chief goon is... Mr Rigathi Gachagua." Seconding the motion, Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah claimed that the chaos included an attempt on the lives of his parents. "Yesterday, there was an attempt to kill my 105-year old father and 85-year old mother... I dare say today in this house, Hon. Rigathi Gachagua is the one who directed goons," claimed Ichung'wah but without providing evidence to back his claims. However, several MPs accused the House of attempting to delegitimise and politicise the Gen Z protests. Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia, rising on a point of order, dismissed Junet's assertions. "Was Rigathi in Homa Bay? Was he in Mombasa? Was he in Kakamega? Was he everywhere?" she posed. Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi called out his colleagues for reducing the youth-led protests to a Gachagua issue, and accused the government of using him as a scapegoat. "We must stop trivialising the concerns of young people in this country and avoid reducing them to a 'Gachagua issue.' Kenyans demonstrated across the country, and it is because of these genuine concerns that we must rise up and take action to support these young people," stated Kibagendi. At the same time Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli accused the opposition of destabilising the country by trying to illegally overthrow Kenya Kwanza government. "People have been saying that 'Ruto must go' and just the other day I was thinking, even if Ruto were to step down, who in the opposition is ready to take over? is it Wamunyoro, Kalonzo, Maraga or Matiangi?"posed Atwoli. "The demonstrations are no longer being controlled by the Gen Z's. They have been taken over by the political class," he added. Earlier in the day 10 MPs allied to UDA and ODM claimed that Wednesday's Gen Z protests were an attempt by shadowy figures to overthrow President Ruto from power.

MPs clash over motion targeting Gachagua over protests anarchy

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