‘Those who took advantage of Gen Z protests to settle political scores are idiots’ – Gachagua

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua now says leaders who took advantage of the youthful protests to settle political scores and push agendas are idiots.

Speaking during the funeral of Susan Wanjohi in Nyandarua, Laikipia County on Friday, July 26, 2024, the DP shamed all individuals who took advantage of the youth’s dissent to advance their political narratives. He noted that the individuals are worse than those who infiltrated peaceful protests to loot and create chaos.

“Let us remain united as a country, we have just gone through very difficult periods….those who took advantage of well intentioned peaceful protests to loot property to steal, to hurt, those are idiots; Those who are more idiotic are those who tried to take advantage of the whole scenario to settle political scores with those they don’t support or have a problem with…..trying to push on blame. Let people know that Kenyans are intelligent people. People of this country have come of age, they see from far they analyse and they know,” Gachagua said.

He additionally called on leaders to respect the citizens when fronting their opinions, as they (citizens) are intelligent enough to analyse and tell when things are wrong.

“As you speak of any situation, have tremendous respect for the people of Kenya, people are not foolish, there is no shortage of fools in this country. they are very intelligent and analytical, and the ordinary Kenyans are ahead of us leaders, they know many things, they see and can tell. Let us respect the people of Kenya because they are fairly intelligent,” he said.

The DP’s remarks come amid the ongoing sustained anti-government protests that have rocked the country for the past month.

The protests driven by the youth have seen tremendous changes in the President William Ruto-led regime, including the cabinet’s dissolution and enforced austerity measures to curb spending. Regardless, the youth expressing discontent with the Kenya Kwanza regime have vowed to continue protesting as they push for other reforms they seek.