Two close allies of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were on Thursday questioned by detectives over their alleged involvement in the June 25 protests that turned deadly across the country.

Former NHIF CEO Geoffrey Mwangi and Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) official Assumpta Wangui recorded statements at the DCI's Rift Valley regional headquarters in Nakuru, as part of ongoing investigations into those suspected of organising and financing the demonstrations.

In a parallel operation in Nyeri, Karatina MCA Watson Weru and several other known associates of Gachagua were also grilled by detectives on Wednesday. The probe is part of a wider government effort to trace those allegedly behind the Gen Z-led protests, which left at least 19 people dead and many others injured.

Mwangi was interrogated first, followed by Wangui. Their appearance comes only days after Gachagua publicly denied funding or organising the protests, which authorities now claim may have received support from political figures.

In a recent interview with NTV, Gachagua dismissed the claims, but the summoning of his allies has raised concerns of a growing crackdown on voices perceived to be critical of the government.

DCI officers believe that Mwangi and Wangui played key roles in organising and financing the protests in Nakuru.

“I have declared my candidature for Nakuru governor in 2027, and perhaps that’s why some of my rivals want to tarnish my name,’’ said Mwangi after being questioned.

Meanwhile in Nyeri, Karatina MCA Watson Weru was reportedly accused of distributing vuvuzelas and whistles to demonstrators. He brushed off the allegations as frivolous and politically motivated.

His lawyer Wambui Mwai, together with several colleagues, defended him, stating that distributing such items is not illegal in Kenya and calling the accusations a calculated move to intimidate Gachagua’s supporters.

Kirimukuyu MCA Anthony Ndagita condemned the ongoing investigations, terming them part of a deliberate State strategy to silence and scare dissenters.

In a separate statement, former Magutu Ward MCA Wanjira Wamabati said she had also recorded a statement with detectives. She further claimed that a senior pro-government politician from the region had issued death threats against her for publicly criticising the government.