Roots Party leader George Wajackoyah has launched a scathing attack on opposition politicians, accusing them of hijacking the Gen Z-led protests to serve their own political interests without offering meaningful solutions.

Speaking during a local radio interview on Wednesday, July 23, 2025, Wajackoyah noted that the initial Gen Z demonstrations were well-organised and issue-based. 

However, he observed a shift where opposition figures have infiltrated the movement, redirecting its energy toward personal attacks on President William Ruto rather than focusing on concrete reforms or policy proposals.

“First, Gen Z, everything was okay. Now we are seeing Gen Zs being hijacked by some of these opposition leaders to condemn Ruto. I don’t stand with that. There are these leaders who have now come in, and they have coined a message to condemn Ruto so that they can be seen as an alternative. What they are not telling us is what they will do after Ruto’s replacement,” Wajackoya said.

He questioned the opposition’s true intentions, arguing that their primary goal appears to be positioning themselves as an alternative to Ruto without outlining what change they intend to bring.

According to him, these leaders continuously criticise the current administration but remain silent on their own track records while in government.

He pointed out that some of them held powerful positions during past regimes when gross human rights violations occurred, including deaths in River Yala, yet they now present themselves as champions of justice.

“If you see them, they are not telling us what they did while in power; they have no moral authority to come in and interfere with the Gen Z revolution. Some of those fellows were very bad; some of them were ministers when people died in River Yala,” he added.

Wajackoyah insisted that these individuals lack the moral authority to involve themselves in the Gen Z movement, which he believes should remain free from political manipulation.

Gachagua’s tenure

In a rare moment of agreement, Wajackoyah acknowledged former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent efforts to provide explanations on state decisions during his tenure in office.

He stated that, despite their strained relationship, Gachagua is at least attempting to communicate—something he believes is lacking from other opposition figures.

 He suggested that even if Gachagua’s statements may be questionable, his willingness to speak out contrasts with the silence of those who once held powerful offices and are now seeking relevance without accountability.

“Maybe this time I am trying to agree with Gachagua, though we are not friends. Although we made a truce, Gachagua is telling people what Matiangi would have been telling people. Even if Gachagua is lying, he is at least telling us, I was told to do this, but the other leaders are not saying,” he added. Mabonga Makhangu, People Daily