President William Ruto refutes Rigathi Gachagua’s claims about the National Intelligence Service’s handling of protest warnings. Photo: Rigathi Gachagua and William Ruto. Source: Twitter.
In Summary:
1) President William Ruto denied claims by Rigathi Gachagua that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) failed to brief him on the severity of the anti-Finance Bill protests.
2) Ruto explained that the government had received intelligence indicating potential criminal activities during the protests and prepared accordingly.
President William Ruto Denies Gachagua’s Allegations:
President William Ruto has denied Rigathi Gachagua’s claims that NIS did not brief him on the severity of the protests.
What exactly did President Ruto say?
During a presidential round table with journalists at the State House on Sunday, June 30, President Ruto stated that the NIS had informed them of the severity of the situation.
He claimed the government received intel indicating that criminals planned to take advantage of the protests to break into parliament and destroy property.
“We had information, and that is why we prepared in the manner that we did. If we had not prepared, we would be having more than 19 people who died,” he said.
The head of state noted that by 10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 25, many Kenyans had left the Central Business District upon realizing that criminals had infiltrated the protests.
“Peaceful protesters were attacked by criminals during the protests… Some of them had their mobile phones.”
When asked about addressing Gachagua’s claims of extrajudicial killings during protests, President Ruto directed the interviewers to Gachagua for answers.
“If you interview the deputy president he will answer that appropriately… but take it from me, extra-judicial killings will not be part of an administration that I’m part of,” he added.
What did Rigathi Gachagua say about NIS?
Earlier, Topnews.co.ke reported that Gachagua blamed the National Intelligence Service (NIS) for the deadly protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Speaking in Mombasa on Wednesday, June 26, Gachagua stated that the NIS, under Noordin Haji, failed to provide the necessary intelligence on the protests.
According to Gachagua, President William Ruto lacked the necessary intelligence on the public sentiment regarding the Finance Bill 2024.
He argued that it should not have taken innocent people to die for the president to know about the feelings of Kenyans, yet the country has an agency funded by the taxpayer.
What did Ruto say about anti-Finance Bill protests?
The President emphasized that those responsible for vandalizing state infrastructure were not peaceful Gen Z demonstrators but rather criminals intent on committing treason.
William Ruto vowed to deal with the people behind the destruction of properties at the August House during demos.
President William Ruto firmly stated his readiness to engage Gen Z on X Space and address all matters of national interest.