Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has raised concerns over the infiltration of Gen Z-led protests by criminal elements seeking to cause destruction and unrest.
While affirming the right of Kenyans to engage in peaceful protests as enshrined in the Constitution, Kagwe condemned the increasing incidents of property destruction.
Speaking on Friday during an ongoing tour in Nakuru, Kagwe described the incidents as acts of anarchy that go against the intended spirit of lawful demonstrations.
“It is not our children. It's not the Gen Z demonstrators who were doing those things,” he said.
He called on citizens to remain vigilant and uphold civic responsibility by protecting both public and private property during protests.
Kagwe also cautioned against the destruction of public infrastructure, citing the recent attack on National Cereals and Produce Board (NCPB) facilities in Maua, Meru County.
Kagwe firmly dismissed claims that Gen Z protesters were responsible for the incident.
“Hio ni ugaidi. Hiyo sio mambo ya Gen Z msidanganywe na mtu (That is criminality. That is not what Gen Z are doing. Dont be cheated) ,” said Kagwe.
“Ati ni watoto wenu ambao walikuwa wanademonstrate walivunja uko Maua ama police station?Sio watoto wenu (Is it your children who were demonstrating and causing destruction? Those are not your children).”
According to Kagwe, criminal groups are strategically exploiting the protests to carry out illegal activities.
“Criminals plan these things. Those you hear loot supermarkets are not these young people,” he said.
“Kuna watu ambao wanajua kuna protests mahali alafu wanapanga hiyo maneno so that they can hide behind the demonstrators.”
(Some people take advantage of the protest to organise criminal activities so that they can hide behind the demonstrators)
He urged Kenyans to take responsibility as citizens and safeguard the country’s resources and infrastructure.
“We are asking you to be vigilant as citizens of the country. Take citizen responsibilities and protect what we have so that we don't lose our livelihoods and so that we don't destroy what we have got in our hands,” he said.
Kagwe reiterated that peaceful demonstrations are a constitutional right, adding that violence should not be part of lawful protests.
“Demonstrations ni sawa. It is protected in our Constitution. People can demonstrate peacefully without a problem. You know there is a demonstration in France every day and nothing ever gets destroyed,” he noted.
Kagwe emphasised that Kenya must not allow criminal elements to derail the essence of protest or turn civic action into destruction.
“We must make sure that criminals do not hide behind our children so that they can destroy the livelihoods we have,” he said.
“This is not politics; it is the truth. As citizens, we should protect our democracy so it never becomes anarchy. We need to protect ourselves.”
