Former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua has allegedly warned of a chilling plot by senior Government officials to deploy goons to sneak into the planned June 25th demonstrations and harm peaceful protesters.

Speaking during an interview on Monday, June 16, 2025, Gachagua accused the two leaders of planning to hire ‘thugs’ from Umoja and Kayole to harm peaceful protesters.

“I’m worried that if our Gen Z come out, the Government will use thugs to kill them. Together with the Governor of Nairobi, thugs will be brought from Umoja, Kayole, and other places to kill the children. I would prefer that Gen Z not take to the streets because they will be set up and killed,” he stated.

He also alleged that those goons have been paid before to cause disturbances at other public gatherings and protests.

Gachagua further described the upcoming June 25 protest as a ‘slaughterhouse’ waiting to happen, pleading with parents not to let their children participate.

He urged Kenyans to not fall for what he termed a ‘trap’, claiming that the planned protest is a setup meant to justify state violence against peaceful demonstrators.

“The level of desperation President William Ruto and his people have is very high, and it is something to think about because these children are ours, and I feel so bad when blood is shed. I would urge them not to come out in the streets because they will be set up and be killed,” he claimed.

The upcoming protest is set to mark the anniversary of the violent anti-tax protests that shook the nation on June 25, 2024. The protests last year were mainly led by Gen Z activists and were so fierce, that the government ended up withdrawing the Finance Bill 2024.

The former Deputy President’s comments have caused mixed reactions among Kenyans as some are interpreting them as a sincere warning while others see them as an attempt to discourage widespread mobilization.