Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a chilling warning to those behind the planning and financing of the increasingly bold and chaotic Gen Z protests, vowing that the government will act preemptively to stop any form of organized lawlessness — even “before you leave your house.”
Addressing a charged crowd on Thursday in Kanyangi, Kitui Rural Constituency, the Deputy President said the State has intelligence linking the ongoing unrest to foreign funding and coordinated networks aimed at destabilizing Kenya.
“If you are the one organizing, funding or leading these protests with the aim of causing mayhem, know this: we will arrest you before you even step out of your house. The safety and stability of this country are non-negotiable,” Kindiki thundered.
His remarks come in the wake of violent scenes witnessed during the latest wave of Gen Z-led anti-government protests. The demonstrations — initially peaceful — turned tragic on Wednesday, with incidents reported of police stations being torched, guns stolen, and businesses looted in the heart of Nairobi. The violence has shaken the nation and raised concerns over the growing radicalization of youth movements.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to demonstrate, Kindiki drew a sharp line between peaceful protest and organized anarchy.
“We respect the rights and freedoms of every Kenyan, including young people, to voice their grievances. But no one has the right to burn police stations, loot private businesses, or turn this country into a battlefield,” he said.
“Any leader — elected or otherwise — who incites violence and mocks the bloodshed we witnessed is not just irresponsible; they are unpatriotic.”
The Deputy President, standing firm alongside National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Kitui South MP Rachael Nyamai, Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse, Mwala MP Vincent Musyoka, and Masinga MP Joshua Mwalyo, vowed the government would no longer take chances.
Also present were Livestock PS Jonathan Mueke, Kitui County Speaker Kevin Katisya, and several MCAs and grassroots leaders.
The gathering was part of the Economic Empowerment Programme for Women, Youth, and Small-Scale Traders through SACCOs, but Kindiki’s speech quickly pivoted to address the elephant in the room: the rising Gen Z revolution, now seen as a major force shaping political discourse — and national tension.
“We applaud peace-loving, hardworking Kenyans who wake up every day to build this country. They are the true patriots. The government will stand with them,” Kindiki stated.
In recent weeks, the Gen Z protest movement has gained international attention, with many lauding their courage while others raise red flags over the escalating violence and the shadowy networks allegedly behind it.
The government, it seems, is drawing its battle lines early — and making it clear: order will be enforced, even if it costs them popularity.
