‘Govt will protect life, property tomorrow’ – Gachagua tells Kenyans ahead of Azimio demos

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged Kenyans to ignore the opposition's calls for demonstrations and report to work on Thursday, March 30.

Speaking at Kangocho Secondary School in Mathira, Nyeri county, on Wednesday, Gachagua said the government has put in place measures to protect life and property tomorrow and Kenyans should go about their businesses as usual.

"I want to assure the people of Kenya that tomorrow (Thursday) Kenyans should go to work and open their businesses. The government has made elaborate plans and adequate arrangements to protect lives and property," Gachagua said.

"The government has a constitutional mandate to protect the life and property of the rich and the ordinary Kenyans...As you plan your demonstrations tomorrow. As you plan to destroy property know that the government will protect life and property in Nairobi and other towns."

Gachagua faulted Azimio la Umoja - One Kenya coalition leader Raila Odinga over chaos witnessed in recent demonstrations, saying the former prime minister is trying to force his way into government through violence.

“He is trying to blackmail us into talks but we shall not give in. The cost of food is not the issue…when he was in government (after handshake with former President Uhuru Kenyatta) he did not demonstrate yet the cost of living was at an all-time high,” Gachagua remarked.

Earlier, Raila maintained that the demonstrations pushing for electoral and economic reforms will continue tomorrow as planned.

Speaking at Kibra in Nairobi on Wednesday, Raila alleged a plot by a section of the political class to disrupt the opposition's demonstrations scheduled for Thursday.

Raila claimed that those planning to counter Azimio's protests have been holding secret meetings at Gachagua's residence in Karen.

He said the leaders were plotting violence against peaceful protesters.

"They have been meeting at Gachagua's residence and we know their every plan. They will also meet today (Wednesday) to plan but we have people watching their moves," Raila alleged.

Raila was in Kibra to meet religious leaders from the Muslim and Christain communities in the area, where a church and a mosque were burnt down on Monday night following violent clashes involving rival groups.