Gachagua's men sought over protests funding claims

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in Nyeri County. [DPSC]

President William Ruto's onslaught on his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua continues after two of his allies were quizzed on Tuesday evening by police.

Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and his Embakasi Central counterpart Benjamin Gathiru appeared before Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) detectives.

The two MPs were questioned about claims that they financed the recent anti-government protests that rocked the country.

Of interest to the detectives is the Nairobi demos that also saw the looting of businesses, particularly within the CBD.

On Tuesday, detectives questioned former Embakasi West MP George Theuri and former Nyeri MP Ngunjiri Wambugu as well as Gachagua's private secretary Munene wa Mumbi.

Theuri is Gachagua's Youth Advisor, while Wambugu is his political advisor.

Police grilled the three for hours at the DP's Karen residence where they also recorded their statements.

The detectives are also looking to question a former governor in connection with the financing of goons who infiltrated the Gen Z protests.

The protests were at first largely peaceful before turning violent owing to the infiltration by goons.

President William Ruto dropped the Finance Bill 2024 after pressure from the demos and dismissed his entire Cabinet, leaving only Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi who is also the Prime Cabinet Secretary.

Police also plan to question more politicians from the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio coalitions over the same.

According to authorities, the politicians organised and paid goons who looted businesses as demos were taking place, and some of the gangs also robbed the protesters.

The action from the DCI comes days after Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri alleged that the protests were sponsored by unidentified senior leaders from Mt Kenya.

According to the legislator, about 10,000 goons were funded to disrupt the demos.

He added that some of his counterparts in Parliament together with politicians not in power paid goons to cause chaos during the demonstrations.