“Choose How You Will Resign”. Rigathi Gachagua To President Ruto

Kenya is grappling with a growing leadership crisis as former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua calls for President William Ruto’s resignation following the deadly June 25 protests.

The demonstrations, led largely by Gen Z youth and civil society groups, erupted across the country and were met with a harsh crackdown by security forces, leaving at least 16 people dead and over 400 injured in more than 20 counties.

What began as a commemoration of the 2024 anti-tax protests quickly escalated into a national uprising, with demonstrators voicing outrage over police brutality, economic mismanagement, and political impunity. The protests were sparked in part by the alleged torture and death of blogger Albert Ojwang while in police custody.

Major towns including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Nyeri, and Eldoret saw waves of unrest, with protesters blocking roads, lighting bonfires, and clashing with police. Businesses were looted, public property vandalized, and several MPs’ homes targeted in what the government later described as “coordinated attacks.”

In the aftermath of the chaos, Rigathi Gachagua—once Ruto’s close political ally—has broken ranks with the President. Speaking in a televised interview with NTV yesterday, Gachagua offered Ruto an ultimatum: resign with dignity or be voted out in 2027.

He accused the state of weaponizing security forces against its own citizens, saying, “These were not peaceful protests. They were a response to injustice, and what the government did was to unleash brutality instead of listening.”

Gachagua also claimed that he sacrificed his position as Deputy President in 2024 because of his support for the youth movement. He stated that the protests were neither funded nor coordinated by him or his allies, but were the genuine voice of a disillusioned generation demanding change.

He further criticized the government’s response to the demonstrations, accusing the police of failing to protect citizens and inflaming the situation by using excessive force.

President Ruto, speaking during a World MSME Day event, condemned the protests as “economic sabotage and calculated chaos.” While expressing condolences to the families of those who died, he warned that those behind the destruction and violence would face prosecution. He reaffirmed that peaceful protest is a constitutional right but said, “What we witnessed was not peaceful protest. It was planned anarchy.”

Ruto further urged political leaders to act responsibly and seek power through democratic means rather than fueling unrest. “Those who want to lead this country must respect the Constitution. You don’t burn down your own country to gain power,” he said.

The fallout from the protests has exposed a sharp rift within the ruling coalition and signaled the beginning of a potential realignment ahead of the 2027 general elections. Gachagua’s public criticism of Ruto, coupled with growing discontent among young voters, has positioned him as a possible opposition figure—or even a presidential contender.