By Grace Gilo
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has condemned the use of excessive force and live bullets by the Police on peaceful and unharmed Gen-Z protesters as witnessed on June 25th.
“Intimidating the peaceful and young demonstrators who were only remembering their slain colleagues in the struggle only complicates the matter,” read Gachagua’s statement in part.
According to the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, the cause of the Gen-Z protests was well-known by the Government and every Kenyan.
The former DP alleged to have credible information that in Nairobi, especially downtown region, businesses belonging to people from a certain region were clearly identified by officials from the County Government of Nairobi and elsewhere and the brutal exercise was led by politicians allied to the government.
“In cohort with the police, these rogue officials and politicians led goons for a targeted looting spree to intimidate and coerce them,” he remarked.
Speaking on the government’s move to switch off the signals of major National TV stations, Rigathi alleged that it was an orchestrated scheme to have state-sponsored goons loot and destroy property under police protection.
Rigathi further accused the Interior CS, Kipchumba Murkomen, of allegedly profiling a certain community.
His words followed CS Murkomen’s statement who condemned yesterday’s protests stating that there was no peaceful demonstration, it was riots, chaos and anarchy.
“What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent,” stated Interior CS Murkomen.
Gachagua further that it was in solidarity with the those who lost their lives and businesses that he cancelled his media briefing with the media houses of Embu Region and further postponed his weekend public engagement with the people of Embu County.