Rigathi Gachagua Charged By CS Aden Duale Over June 25, 2024 Parliament Invasion
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has been charged by Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale with involvement in the June 25, 2024, protester invasion of Parliament.In an interview with NTV on Wednesday, February 27, Duale asserted that Gachagua funded people who broke into legitimate Gen Z protests and eventually led to the attack on Parliament. Duale, who was then the Defense Minister, continued by accusing Gachagua of conspiring to topple the government.Duale stated, “My good friend Riggy G is the same person who brought goons with the intention of burning Parliament, the Supreme Court, and Harambee House three important government buildings that symbolize the government’s three arms.” Riggy G also boasts about the Gen Zs. At a press conference in Mombasa, he also implied that Gachagua was aware of a National Intelligence Service (NIS) report that implicated him in the protests on June 25.He noted that investigations into such matters take time, in response to a question about why no one has been held accountable for what Duale described as an attempt to topple the government. “Why do you think the Deputy President of Kenya, who sits on the National Security Council, would go to Mombasa and undermine the NIS?” replied the president. Major investigations, like the ones into the Dusit and Westgate terror attacks, took years before charges were brought, he continued, highlighting the need for solid evidence to support a case in court.Five of Gachagua’s allies were charged by the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) in September 2024 for their alleged participation in the demonstrations. Citing “sufficient evidence,” the DPP charged them with money laundering, conspiracy to commit a felony, and inciting others. Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru, Embakasi North MP James Gakuya, Embakasi West MP George Theuri, former Nyeri Town MP Wambugu Ngunjiri, and Gachagua’s private secretary Pius Munene were among the accused. Gachagua denied the accusations, claiming they were politically motivated and that President William Ruto and his Cabinet had tarnished his name by using the DPP’s office and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI).In a joint interview with Mulembe FM, Vuuka FM, and Sulwe FM earlier in February, Gachagua denied any role in the protests. He charged that the protests were part of a plot by President Ruto to unseat him. Gachagua also said he fully supports Kenyan youth, calling them a force to be reckoned with in the general elections of 2027 and encouraging them to register to vote.He added that his staff had been falsely accused of planning and funding the demonstrations, and that Ruto had already wanted him out of office when the Gen Z movement started. “I didn’t do any of that; in fact, I would have gladly led those good kids if they had asked me to do so.” He saidSignificant repercussions resulted from the protests, which were a part of larger anti-government rallies. President Ruto decided to reorganize his Cabinet and drop the contentious Finance Bill 2024, which called for tax increases.READ; Two Arrested In NACADA Shisha Raid At Paris Lounge In Langata Read Also Murkomen On “Echoes Of War”; Accuses Leaders Of Politicizing Education Matters
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