Belgut Member of Parliament (MP) Nelson Koech has sensationally claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua played a pivotal role in the violent anti-government protests that rocked Kenya in 2024. Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV’s Daybreak Show on Monday, Koech alleged that Gachagua was among the politicians who orchestrated the unrest, asserting that the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) had approved charges against the former Deputy President.
“The only demonstration done by young people was one,” said Koech. “The other protests were executed by politicians, including the former Deputy President, and the DPP has approved charges.”
The allegations have reignited tensions within Kenya’s political landscape, with blame being traded across the political divide. According to Koech, the National Intelligence Service (NIS) failed to provide critical intelligence to President William Ruto and his administration, leaving the government blindsided during the unrest.
“I sympathize with President Ruto because this information was not available to him. The NIS is mandated to provide such information, and that is where the problem lies,” Koech remarked. “We have a dysfunctional NIS that has exposed the President, the government, and the people of Kenya.”
Koech also pointed a finger at Noordin Haji, the Director-General of the NIS, for allegedly failing in his duties. He held Haji responsible for the deaths, destruction, and chaos during the protests, accusing him of neglecting to advise the government effectively.
“Noordin Haji must take responsibility for the deaths that have occurred, the mayhem witnessed, and for failing Ruto, the government, and Kenya by not doing his job,” Koech said. “He must not just take responsibility but resign from that office and allow the President to appoint a competent DG.”
In response, Gachagua and his allies have deflected the blame back to the State, arguing that the government bears ultimate responsibility for the unrest. The former Deputy President has called for accountability within President Ruto’s administration and questioned the political motivations behind the accusations against him.
The claims have further polarized the Kenya Kwanza government, raising questions about the internal cohesion of the ruling coalition. As the ODPP moves forward with investigations, the matter is expected to remain a focal point of political discourse, potentially reshaping alliances and dynamics within Kenya’s political arena.
The unfolding drama underscores the high stakes and deep divisions that continue to define Kenyan politics in 2024.
