Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has paid tribute to young Kenyans who participated in anti-government protests over the past two years, while urging citizens to pursue political change through the ballot in the 2027 General Election.
In a statement issued on Thursday to mark the second anniversary of the June 25, 2024 demonstrations, Gachagua described those who took part in the protests as patriotic citizens exercising their democratic rights rather than criminals.
“On 25th June 2024, our dear sons and daughters, and not criminals, exercised their democratic rights,” Gachagua said, as he remembered those who lost their lives during the protests.
The former deputy president accused the government of using excessive force against demonstrators and claimed that state-sponsored militias were involved in violence witnessed during protests in 2024 and 2025. He also alleged that businesses and property worth billions of shillings had been destroyed during the unrest.
Gachagua expressed solidarity with families who lost loved ones and individuals whose businesses and livelihoods were affected by the protests.
“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,” he said.
His remarks came as Kenyans marked the anniversary of the Gen Z-led demonstrations that shook the country in June 2024, culminating in the storming of Parliament during protests against the Finance Bill. The protests sparked a broader national conversation on governance, taxation, accountability and youth participation in public affairs.
Gachagua claimed that his calls for caution ahead of this year’s anniversary commemorations contributed to reduced confrontations and destruction.
“I sincerely thank my dear sons and daughters, the Gen Zs, for heeding my plea to avoid death and injury,” he said.
The former deputy president further thanked business owners, traders and residents who closed their premises and took security precautions, arguing that their actions helped prevent looting and damage to property.
He also commended police officers whom he said exercised restraint during the day and refrained from using lethal force against demonstrators.
“Thank you to the officers who didn’t shoot Kenyans today or kill any Kenyan,” he said.
Gachagua further alleged that he had received information from unnamed police officers and civil servants regarding plans to deploy goons and disrupt demonstrations, claims for which he did not provide evidence in his statement.
The former deputy president urged security officers to reject what he termed illegal orders and appealed to Kenyans to remain vigilant whenever violence is planned against innocent citizens.
Despite his criticism of the administration, Gachagua called on Kenyans to pursue change through constitutional means, urging citizens to register as voters ahead of the next General Election.
“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,” he said.
“We shall liberate our country through the mechanism provided for by our Constitution; the ballot.”
Gachagua described the relative calm witnessed during the anniversary commemorations as a sign of public dissatisfaction with the current administration and a reminder that leaders must remain responsive to citizens’ concerns.
He concluded by calling for peace as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election, saying Kenyans should continue to exercise their democratic rights while avoiding violence.
“Today’s restraint by the people of Kenya is a vote of no confidence in this regime,” he said. “It will serve as a lesson to future administrations that the people are supreme and they must be listened to.”
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