Lawmakers engaged in a fiery debate in Parliament on Thursday, a day after nationwide protests turned chaotic, with some accusing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua of orchestrating the unrest while others defended him and warned against politicising the youth-led demonstrations.

Parliament passed a motion asking the Inspector General of Police and the Directorate of Criminal Investigations to move with urgency and investigate the acts of lawlessness witnessed during Wednesday’s protests.

However, the session quickly took a political turn as MPs clashed over claims that Gachagua and his allies had sponsored violent groups to infiltrate the demonstrations.

The motion was introduced by Minority Leader Junet Mohamed, who called for Gachagua’s arrest. He also named Embakasi North MP John Gakuya, Embakasi Central MP Benjamin Gathiru (Meja Donk), and Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo, accusing them of mobilising gangs that caused destruction in Nairobi.

“What happened yesterday in our country was not the normal demonstrations. It was not a Gen Z demonstration. It was a political event that was meant to overthrow the Constitution and the existing governance of this country,” Junet said. “…. there was destruction of property in Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kikuyu and Nyamakima and that tells you who the chief goon is... Rigathi Gachagua.”

He also demanded investigations targeting both current and former politicians allegedly involved in planning, financing, and inciting violent criminal elements across the country.

Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah backed the motion, claiming the chaos had reached his own family.

“Yesterday, there was an attempt to kill my 105-year old father and 85-year old mother... I dare say today in this house, Rigathi Gachagua is the one who directed goons,” he said, though he did not provide evidence.

But several MPs strongly opposed the accusations and defended the right of young Kenyans to demonstrate.

Kipipiri MP Wanjiku Muhia questioned the logic behind the allegations, saying they were baseless and politically driven.

“Was Rigathi in Homa Bay? Was he in Mombasa? Was he in Kakamega? Was he everywhere?” she asked.

Kitutu Chache South MP Anthony Kibagendi joined in criticising the motion, warning against turning the youth protests into a political tool.

“We must stop trivialising the concerns of young people in this country and avoid reducing them to a ‘Gachagua issue.’ Kenyans demonstrated across the country, and it is because of these genuine concerns that we must rise up and take action to support these young people,” he said.

Meanwhile, Central Organisation of Trade Unions (Cotu) Secretary General Francis Atwoli took aim at the opposition, accusing them of trying to topple the government through the protests.

“People have been saying that ‘Ruto must go’ and just the other day I was thinking, even if Ruto were to step down, who in the opposition is ready to take over? is it Wamunyoro, Kalonzo, Maraga or Matiang’i?” he posed.

“The demonstrations are no longer being controlled by the Gen Z’s. They have been taken over by the political class,” Atwoli added.

Earlier in the day, a group of 10 MPs from both Kenya Kwanza and ODM claimed that the Gen Z protests had been hijacked by powerful individuals plotting to overthrow the government.