Farouk Kibet accuses Gachagua of fuelling Nairobi protests over Ojwang murder

 

Farouk Kibet, an aide to President William Ruto, claims that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is to blame for the recent protests in Nairobi. The protests that were held on Thursday to demand action on the murder of blogger Albert Ojwang degenerated into chaos. Until late in the evening, police dispersed protesters by using water cannons and tear gas. During the protests, property was destroyed, and two vehicles were set on fire.

Now, Kibet accuses the former DP of supporting the protests.

 “The tribalist has announced a roadmap.  The other day, he started with burning cars in Nairobi.  He went ahead to say there is a holiday on the 25th to burn Nairobi.  Will Kenya be burned while we watch? Which protesters have permission to set fire to the city?” said Farouk during a fundraiser in Uasin Gishu County on Saturday.

 Ruto’s aide called on Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja to take action and ‘safeguard’ the city against such destruction.

 Governor Sakaja accepted the challenge and announced that those who damaged public property in Nairobi during the demonstrations would be detained. The governor promised that thorough investigations would be carried out, and those responsible would be detained and brought to justice. Sakaja noted that the constitution allows peaceful demonstrations but not violently, calling on Kenyans and especially politicians to shun divisive politics.

 Ojwang was killed on Sunday while being detained by police, which led to the protests. The death of Ojwang at Central Police Station is the subject of ongoing investigations, and officers who were stationed there have been arrested. Police officers, including Central Police Station OCS Samson Talaam and James Mukhwana, have been arrested.

 The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) continues with investigations into the matter.