Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has issued a sharp rebuke to President William Ruto, accusing him of sponsoring violence against young people who are defending their leaders and expressing their political views.
In a strongly worded statement, Gachagua claimed that the President is “pained” by the growing political consciousness of young people and has responded by allegedly sending goons to attack them, disrupt their meetings, and even invade places of worship.
“Mr. William Ruto, if you have a problem with and you feel so pained by the young people defending their leaders, stop sending your goons to attack them, their meetings and invading places of worship,” Gachagua said.
He condemned what he described as violence targeting innocent Kenyans, particularly women and children, and warned that such actions undermine peace, democracy, and basic human decency.
Gachagua urged the President to take a different approach, calling for the empowerment of the same individuals allegedly being used to cause chaos. He argued that meaningful and lawful economic opportunities would provide dignity and stability, rather than turning unemployed youths into tools of political violence.
“Empower those goons to engage in meaningful and legal economic activities instead of sending them to harm innocent Kenyans,” he said.
According to Gachagua, if the state focused on job creation and economic inclusion rather than intimidation, there would be no justification for heavy security presence or violent confrontations.
The remarks add to rising political tensions as accusations of state-sponsored violence and suppression of dissent increasingly feature in opposition rhetoric ahead of the 2027 election cycle, with youth participation and political freedoms emerging as central points of contention.
