It's an outdated political strategy, Gachagua says after allies linked to June protests

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. [DPCS]

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has refuted claims by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) linking his allies to the June anti-tax demonstrations.

In a statement shared on his X platform, Ruto criticized the use of the criminal justice system to manage political affairs, calling it an "outdated political strategy" from the past.

“President William Ruto and I, upon assuming office, pledged to the people of Kenya that the criminal justice system would never again be used to handle political issues,” he said.

The Deputy President expressed disappointment over DCI's recent actions, noting that for the past two months, his office staff and MPs close to him have faced harassment.

"I am embarrassed that we are back to where we were," he remarked.

Ruto also condemned DCI’s recommendation to prosecute three of his staff members, along with Embakasi North MP James Gakuya and Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru MejjaDonk, labelling it a futile attempt to tarnish his reputation.

“This evil scheme aims to link them to the violent demonstrations in late June, in a hopeless attempt to soil my name and lay the groundwork for the proposed impeachment proceedings against me,” he added.

While distancing himself from the protests, the Deputy President urged government agencies to remain professional, adhere to the rule of law, and stay out of political affairs.

Others implicated in the protests include former Embakasi West MP George Theuri, former Nyeri Town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri, and Gachagua’s private secretary, Pius Munene.