The political fallout from Wednesday's nationwide youth-led protests continues to intensify, with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party now launching a scathing attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Gladys Wanga, the ODM National Chairperson and Homa Bay Governor, has publicly accused Gachagua of hijacking the genuine concerns of "Gen Z" protestors to serve his own political ambitions, aiming for a "backdoor" entry into power.
Speaking at Asumbi National School in Rangwe constituency during a bursary issuance event, Governor Wanga strongly castigated the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) leader over the recent unrest that gripped Nairobi and other parts of the country. Wanga asserted that the protests were not merely spontaneous acts of public outcry but were, in fact, "well planned and executed by the opposition led by Gachagua to destabilize the country." This direct accusation introduces a potent political dimension to the protests, suggesting a calculated strategy rather than organic dissent.
Governor Wanga minced no words, claiming that Gachagua and his team harbored an intention to "plunge the country into anarchy" with the ultimate goal of overthrowing President William Ruto's administration, all while strategically "hiding behind the Gen Z protests." Her remarks signal a significant escalation in the ongoing political rhetoric, painting the former Deputy President as a orchestrator of chaos rather than a legitimate voice of opposition.
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In a direct challenge, Governor Wanga urged Gachagua to abandon what she termed his attempts to gain power through unconstitutional means. She emphatically told him to wait until the 2027 General Election if he genuinely seeks to lead the country. This statement reinforces the ODM's position that democratic processes must be respected and that any attempts to subvert them, particularly through inciting unrest, are unacceptable.
Governor Wanga further underscored that the ODM party fully supports the current broad-based government and will not stand by idly while Gachagua allegedly continues to destabilize the administration by sponsoring what she described as "unconstitutional protests." This stance positions ODM firmly against any perceived attempts to undermine the current political order through means outside the established democratic framework.
Similar sentiments were echoed by Rangwe MP Lilian Gogo, who also addressed the gathering. MP Gogo urged opposition leaders to adhere strictly to the rule of law and to cease exploiting the "Gen Z" movement for their own narrow political gains. This unified voice from ODM leadership suggests a concerted effort to delegitimize the protest's leadership and reframe the narrative around the recent demonstrations, portraying them as politically manipulated rather than solely youth-driven.
