Gachagua claims DP Kindiki paid goons Ksh.60M to cause chaos during protests

Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua has accused Deputy President Kithure Kindiki of orchestrating the chaos witnessed during last month's anti-government protests.

Speaking in Boston, United States, Gachagua alleged that Kindiki received Ksh.60 million from President William Ruto to bankroll a disruptive campaign aimed at discrediting him and his political allies in the Mt. Kenya region.

“They paid goons to cause mayhem and frame us for it so that the public would turn against us. But Kenyans are not blind; they can see through the deception,” Gachagua claimed.

He further accused Kindiki, whom he cheekily referred to as ‘Soprano’, of using State funds under the guise of empowerment to mount early campaigns for the 2027 elections.

The former DP argued that such funds should be allocated to more urgent sectors like health and education.

“The money he’s flying around with in helicopters could fix hospitals and schools. Instead, it's being thrown around in the name of empowerment. But young people are paying attention,” he said

Gachagua also outlined his vision for the first 100 days in office should he be elected president, promising to end extrajudicial killings, restore institutional independence, and revamp essential public services.

"My first priority would be to end abductions and stop extrajudicial killings and restore the rule of law. The second thing would be to allow institutions such as Parliament to have autonomy to enable it to make effective decisions," he said.

He also accused the Speaker of the National Assembly Moses Wetangula of openly siding with the Executive.

“A Speaker should be neutral, but what we have now is someone who campaigns for the president, attends harambees, and issues political threats. That’s not the role of a neutral parliamentary head,” he said.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 38 people were killed and over 130 were injured during the Saba Saba protests. The demonstrations also left behind a trail of destruction, with businesses looted and millions of shillings lost.