AfriPulse
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has threatened to mobilize Kenyans to stop paying taxes if President William Ruto’s government continues what he described as violence, destruction of property, and persecution of citizens.
Gachagua said peaceful resistance, through a tax boycott, would be the next option if the government does not change course.
“If William Ruto continues to harass people, continues to bring violence, chaos and kill people, we will not fight him with violence. I will issue a directive to Kenyans to suspend the payment of taxes until William Ruto comes to his senses,” he declared.
The Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader said withholding taxes would serve as a peaceful weapon if the government keeps using violence and intimidation.
“We are peaceful people. Since we cannot match you in violence, we will suspend the payment of taxes until you come to your senses.”
He insisted he does not support violence and argued that Kenyans should pursue peaceful, constitutional ways to push for political change.
Gachagua also urged motorists not to comply with the government’s planned mandatory vehicle inspection programme for vehicles older than four years.
He claimed the inspection exercise aims to raise billions of shillings for political purposes and called on Kenyans to reject it.
“Nobody should take their vehicle for inspection and give William Ruto money.”
His remarks come days after Gen Z-led protests rocked parts of the country.
Gachagua defended his decision to urge residents of the Mt. Kenya region to stay away from last week’s demonstrations, saying the move helped protect lives and businesses.
He thanked residents, traders, and young people for heeding his advice, saying they listened when he warned business owners that shops could face destruction, when he urged residents to organise youth to protect property, and when he asked Gen Z participants to stay at home. “I want to say thank you.”
He added that he received intelligence warning that the region had been targeted for violence. He alleged that organisers planned to kill thousands of people and destroy businesses in Mt Kenya to intimidate the community into abandoning him politically.
“They wanted to create fear by killing our people and destroying our businesses so that the community would ask me to stop fighting William Ruto.”
Gachagua further alleged that senior government officials coordinated the plan, naming President Ruto, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Moses Kuria, and Mwangi Kiunjuri.
He also claimed that some police officers and civil servants secretly shared information with him, including allegations that Sh200 million had allegedly been set aside to fund gangs intended to disrupt the Mt Kenya region.
Despite his criticism of the government, Gachagua urged his supporters to avoid violence. Instead, he called on Kenyans to prepare to vote President Ruto out of office in next year’s General Election.
“The Constitution has given us an opportunity to remove William Ruto next year. We should organise ourselves and remove him peacefully through the ballot.”
He argued that protecting lives and livelihoods now would allow Kenyans to participate in the elections. “A good soldier must live to fight another day.”
Source: NairobiWire.com | Read the Full Story…
