Gachagua: Saba Saba violence was a plot by Ruto to malign Mt Kenya
By Ascah Mwango, July 9, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has gone full throttle at President William Ruto, accusing him of being behind the violence witnessed during the Saba Saba protests.
Gachagua claimed that the violence was part of a larger plan to paint the Kikuyu community in a bad light.
Speaking during a press briefing on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the DCP party leader accused the president of organising a state-sponsored militia to wreak havoc across the country.
“During the 31st anniversary of Saba Saba, Kenyans from all walks of life went to the streets, unarmed and peaceful, to mark the occasion. These are not the first protests this year that have left people dead, businesses destroyed,” he said.
Gachagua went on to blame the government directly for the chaos witnessed during the demonstrations.
“During the Saba Saba protests, President Ruto organised a state-sponsored militia, in cahoots with the police, to kill and destroy property, attempting to blame it on the Kikuyu community,” he claimed.
“On the fateful day, these state-sponsored militia under guidance from police were dropped in different places in the country, mostly the Mount Kenya region and other regions not perceived as friendly to the government. They were strategically dropped past midnight, and roadblocks were placed by police,” Gachagua asserted.
He further claimed that the militias were mobilised and deployed with the help of politicians allied to President Ruto.
“The militia was procured by Ruto, governors, and MPs allied to him. These regions include Nairobi, Kiambu, Kajiado, Kisii, Nyeri, Murang’a, Kirinyaga, Kitengela, Machakos, Ongata Rongai, Meru,” he stated.
Country on standstill
The Saba Saba protests on Monday, July 7, 2025, brought the country to a near standstill, as thousands of Kenyans took to the streets in a show of defiance. Major towns such as Nairobi, Mombasa, and Nakuru experienced widespread disruptions.
Roads were blocked, matatus and buses disappeared from the streets, and most businesses remained shut. In many areas, police set up heavy patrols, making it difficult and increasing tension.
Many shop owners either stayed closed out of solidarity or for their safety. Those who tried to open had to close early due to the fear of looting and the overall volatile situation. Banks suspended operations in protest-prone areas, schools and colleges were closed, and even some hospitals scaled down their services to protect staff and patients.
Properties were destroyed in the chaos. Shops were looted, vehicles vandalised, and buildings damaged as violence escalated in different parts of the country. Protesters blamed the destruction on masked men believed to be part of the state-sponsored militia.
Police response to the protests turned violent. Several people were reported dead, with claims that live bullets were used to disperse demonstrators.