DP Kindiki Blames Religious Leaders, Media, Foreign Envoys for Violent Protests

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has squarely laid the blame for Tuesday’s destructive demonstrations on different entities.

The protests resulted in significant damage and loss of life.

Kindiki blames the protests on a number of actors including certain religious leaders, the media, and certain foreign envoys. 

Speaking in Matungu, Machakos County, Kindiki accused these entities of actively inciting the "Gen Z" protesters to take to the streets, leading to what he termed "tragic and unmatched" violence, even surpassing the severity of the 2007/2008 post-election crisis.

In his address, the Deputy President did not mince words, directly pointing fingers at elements within the religious community. 

"There are churches and religious organisations that urged the youth to be responsible, but others incited them, telling them to exercise their rights. I want to ask those leaders was the destruction we saw yesterday the kind of 'freedom' you were advocating?”

Kindiki extended his criticism to foreign envoys and diplomats, accusing some of issuing statements that he believes emboldened the protesters.

 "There are envoys who told our young people that no one could stop them from exercising their rights. I ask them is the violence and destruction we witnessed what you intended? Is that the result you were seeking?”

He says external influence played a role in escalating the demonstrations.

 He underscored the government's resolve to prevent a recurrence of such lawlessness, stating, "We will not let our country slide into anarchy, chaos, or lawlessness. What happened is a turning point. We will do whatever it takes to protect the integrity and stability of our nation." 

While affirming the government's commitment to constitutional freedoms such as expression, opinion, media, and thought, Kindiki issued a stern warning against their abuse. 

"We will not interfere with freedoms but we will not allow anyone to descend this country into mayhem," he asserted, drawing a clear line between legitimate protest and what he described as deliberate attempts to destabilize the country.

Kindiki's remarks in Matungu underscore the government's firm stance on the recent protests, suggesting that the demonstrations were not merely spontaneous acts but rather orchestrated events with a broader agenda. 

He also revealed concerns about potential infiltration, noting that police stations were set ablaze and firearms and ammunition stolen, indicating that the protests may have been hijacked by elements with ulterior motives.