Gachagua Breaks Silence Abroad, Urges Ruto to Use NIS to Understand Gen Z Unrest

As nationwide protests ripple through Kenya’s streets, a voice once silent has emerged from abroad with a sharp warning for the country’s leadership. Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on President William Ruto to stop guessing and start listening—using the National Intelligence Service not to suppress, but to understand.

Speaking from the United States, where he is currently on an official tour, Gachagua argued that Kenya’s intelligence agencies should be tasked with deeply investigating the underlying frustrations of the youth. “The President should use the intelligence network not to suppress, but to understand the young people,” he said. “Kenya cannot afford a leadership that is blind to the struggles of its youth.”

Gachagua, now the leader of the Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP), expressed alarm over the government’s apparent detachment from the economic pain, exclusion, and mistrust that have driven Gen Z into action. He questioned how a regime with access to real-time intelligence could still misread the signs of brewing discontent.

His remarks follow weeks of sustained demonstrations by young Kenyans demanding transparency, economic opportunity, and respect from those in power. Despite numerous arrests and accusations of excessive force, the movement has only gained momentum, shaking the political establishment.

Gachagua’s intervention is likely to fuel speculation about deeper rifts within the ruling elite, especially given his recent political rebranding. While no official government response has been issued, insiders suggest that his comments were unexpected and could trigger internal friction.

Whether President Ruto will heed the advice remains unclear. For now, Gachagua’s words hang in the air—not as rebellion, but as a challenge to confront the truth behind a generation’s fury. The question is whether anyone in power is truly listening.