Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has used the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests to honour victims of police violence, defend the Gen Z movement and urge Kenyans to prepare for political change through the ballot in the 2027 General Election.
In a statement released, Gachagua described the young protesters who took part in the demonstrations as patriotic citizens exercising their democratic rights rather than criminals.
He said the events of June 2024 and subsequent protests in 2025 resulted in the loss of many young lives due to what he termed police brutality and the actions of state-sponsored militias.
“Many lost their lives due to police brutality and state-sponsored militias. As if human life is not valued by this government, yet again in June 2025 and the 2025 7/7 Day, we lost more young promising Kenyans under police bullets and state-sponsored goons,” Gachagua said.
Praise for Gen Z and Business Community
The former DP thanked Gen Z activists for heeding his appeal to stay away from the streets during the June 25, 2026 commemoration, arguing that the decision helped prevent further deaths, injuries, and destruction of property.
“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,” Gachagua added.
He also commended traders, business owners, and local communities for closing their premises and taking precautionary measures to secure their neighbourhoods. According to Gachagua, these actions helped deter planned acts of violence and looting.
Claims of Security and Government Leaks
A significant portion of the statement focused on allegations that security officers and civil servants had provided him with information regarding plans to disrupt the day’s events.
Gachagua thanked what he described as patriotic police officers and public servants who allegedly warned him of plans to deploy goons and use excessive force against citizens. He claimed the information enabled him to advise Kenyans on how to avoid confrontation and remain safe.
At the same time, he urged police officers to reject unlawful orders and exercise restraint when dealing with civilians.
Looking ahead, Gachagua called on Kenyans to register as voters and channel their frustrations through constitutional means.
He described the peaceful observance of June 25, 2026 as a demonstration of public dissatisfaction with the current administration and urged citizens to pursue change through the ballot on August 10, 2027.
“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 2027. We shall liberate our country through the mechanism provided for by our Constitution; the ballot,” Gachagua said.
