NAIROBI, Kenya — A comprehensive investigation by a Kenyan popular newspaper has today revealed an elaborate clandestine operation, allegedly orchestrated by powerful figures within the State House, influential Rift Valley Members of Parliament, key employees of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) secretariat, and various parastatal chiefs. This covert plan aims to infiltrate and disrupt the upcoming peaceful protests, scheduled for tomorrow, which mark the first anniversary of June 25 Gen Z protest.
The disturbing scheme, reportedly backed by high-ranking officials of the ruling party, is designed to unleash violence, create chaos, and facilitate theft during the protests. The ultimate objective, according to the newspaper’s findings, is to discredit the youth-led movement by portraying demonstrators as inherently violent.
The investigation has uncovered a troubling web connecting senior government figures, digital propagandists, and former mainstream journalists now deeply embedded within the State machinery.
Multiple insider accounts and leaked communications allegedly seen by the paper outline a sinister agenda. This includes strategically positioning hired individuals, often referred to as “goons,” in critical protest zones across Nairobi’s Central Business District. Their mandate is to instigate violence against demonstrators and to malign the reputations of protest leaders.
Furthermore, journalists and media houses perceived to be sympathetic to the Gen Z movement have reportedly been marked for targeted smear campaigns, intimidation, and ridicule.
A particularly chilling aspect of the mission involves directives to snatch mobile phones from protesters, a tactic aimed at preventing the documentation of police brutality and suppressing evidence.
Indeed, a significant number of phones stolen during last Tuesday’s protests have already been traced to operatives reportedly linked to the same political faction behind this elaborate scheme.
At the apex of this alleged operation are two prominent figures who have been conducting discreet strategy sessions with youth groups and leaders loyal to the ruling party, frequently convening under the veil of darkness.
Sources close to the matter suggest that the National Police Service has been quietly co-opted into this plan, tasked with providing a veneer of legitimacy while simultaneously enabling the infiltration of protests by weapon-wielding thugs.
Last week’s demonstrations witnessed a disturbing pattern of infiltration, with masked individuals on motorbikes marching alongside uniformed police, executing coordinated attacks on demonstrators using traditional wooden clubs, known as rungus.
The investigation has ascertained that thousands of these rungus have been transported to Nairobi in anticipation of tomorrow’s demonstrations. A source, speaking on condition of anonymity due to fear of reprisal, revealed that these uniformly manufactured wooden clubs are produced at a private facility in Nanyuki, allegedly owned by a local politician.
“They are then ferried to Nairobi using police lorries. Ask yourself how they pass through all the roadblocks, it’s obvious the police are involved,” the source claimed.
Attempts to solicit comments from police authorities regarding these serious allegations were unsuccessful, as they reportedly declined to respond. Despite the emergence of such evidence, the National Police Service has since publicly distanced itself from aiding any menacing groups.
The investigation further establishes that the covert mission within UDA and City Hall operates under a clear command hierarchy. Beneath the top two operatives sits a core team of six political leaders, including one governor and five Members of Parliament, each assigned specific tasks for the plan’s execution.
This core team reportedly convened quietly at Nairobi’s Sarova Panafric Hotel on Monday, June 16, prior to last Tuesday’s protests that were triggered by the killing of Albert Ojwang. The two-hour closed-door meeting, sanctioned from “higher up,” allegedly focused on strategies to “neutralise” the June 17 protests, which had gained renewed urgency following Ojwang’s murder while in police custody.
Adding a volatile public dimension to the fray, Tiaty lawmaker William Kamket has overtly declared intentions of violence against the protesters. He boldly stated: “Juzi wamelia eti Sakaja ameleta vijana wachache na rungu hapo Nairobi kuwafukuzafukuza, wacha niwaaambie kutoka hapa Sigor…..mkuje wiki ijayo ndio mjue vijana wa Pokot wako hapo, vijana mko? Wangapi wako tayari kudefend serikali, twende Nairobi? Tupambane nao, tuwaonyeshe? Waone noma, waone shida, wasirudie?”
He further warned: “Walilia kwa rungu hiyo kidogo ya juzi, lakini wacha wajaribu wiki hii, wale vijana wa sehemu hii watawaonyesha maana ya kukimbia ni nini!.”
Loosely translated: “The other day they were crying that Sakaja had brought a few young men with clubs to chase them around in Nairobi. Let me tell them this from Sigor… come next week and you’ll see that Pokot youth will be there. Youth, are you ready? How many of you are ready to defend the government? Shall we go to Nairobi? Should we confront them? Should we show them? Let them feel the heat, let them suffer, so they don’t repeat it again. They cried over that little show of clubs the other day, but let them try this week, young men from this region will show them the true meaning of running!.”
Sources indicate that this was not an idle threat, with Kamket reportedly having acted on it. “They are already in town, in their hundreds. We know they’re planning to unleash terror, and yet, shockingly, no one has arrested Kamket even after such a blood-soaked declaration,” a source remarked.
The exposé has further obtained damning WhatsApp messages and internal memos that reveal the intricate “anatomy” of this counter-protest operation, pointing to its alleged funders and coordinators, and detailing its chillingly precise rollout.
“Each MP and the governor had their roles clearly assigned. The people behind this are watching closely. Every detail must fall into place,” revealed a source familiar with the plot, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal.
WhatsApp groups under scrutiny, cleverly disguised as working groups, include “Sixty Day Work Plan,” “Team Wadau,” “Team Content,” and “Project Deliver the Plan.” Members of these controversial groups reportedly include Cabinet Secretaries, party leaders, governors, Principal Secretaries, MPs, parastatal chiefs, and bloggers.
“Some openly discuss these sensitive issues, while others silently read through the threads, and you wonder how they condone such inflammatory messages,” observed a source.
The damning investigation has established that the foundational coordination for this operation is handled by a government-affiliated digital strategist. The execution is largely driven by Antonellah Kakuko, known in political circles as “Nellah,” a key figure in UDA’s communications team at the secretariat, earning a monthly salary of Ksh 103,919. Her central role is described as orchestrating both online and offline disruption and propaganda.
“Nellah, is what you’d call the ‘arsonist-in-chief.’ She was brought into the system to ignite political fires, and she has lived up to that role,” said a source who infiltrated several of the WhatsApp groups she administers.
“She controls tens of WhatsApp forums, some of which are directly responsible for coordinating the planned mayhem.” Within the inner planning circle, Nellah is reportedly both feared and revered, described as the operation’s “moneybag,” responsible for raising and distributing funds from influential political players to the foot soldiers tasked with executing the chaos.
“She can sanction anything, she’s ruthless when it comes to protecting her interests. Even men tread carefully around her,” the source added.
An analysis of Nellah’s digital footprint reveals a pattern of incendiary messaging, often infused with threats and violent undertones, which she appears to disseminate with impunity, possibly protected by her ties to the State.
In one recent post on X, she warned: “Marehemu watarajiwa wa Wednesday is Wednesday na Occupy State House and other protected areas, laleni salama. Hiyo haraka ya kwenda sayuni sijui mmeitoa wapi. Lakini waswahili husema mtoto akililia wembe mpe.”
Loosely translated: “The expected corpses of Wednesday will be delivered on Wednesday. Sleep well. I don’t know where you got this urge to die, but as Swahili wisdom says, if a child cries for a razor, give it to them.”
According to an insider, Nellah has allegedly amassed millions of shillings to finance the mission, providing equipment for goons, paying allowances, and establishing digital command centers.
Working in close collaboration with Nellah is Don Kamau, a self-proclaimed ICT strategist who, through social media, has reportedly served as a conduit between the planners and street-level executors.
In the run-up to last Tuesday’s protests, Kamau posted: “Hawa next week tutawaonyesha kuna kitu inaitwa silent majority. Hawatatuharibia nchi tukiona.” Loosely translated: “Next week, we’ll show them what the silent majority looks like. They won’t destroy the country while we watch.”
He then added a chilling directive: “Viboko. Na ma simu ziende.” Loosely translated: “Batons. And let the phones disappear.”
Kamau’s statements suggest a premeditated plan not merely to violently suppress protesters, but to systematically rob them, particularly of smartphones, thereby hindering the documentation of abuses and diminishing evidence.
Elizabeth Waithira, popularly known as Liz wa Sakaja, is identified as a central figure in the recruitment of goons for last Tuesday’s protests. A known UDA operative, Liz allegedly played a key role in coordinating the chaos that targeted protesters, some of whom later confessed to having been recruited to act on behalf of Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.
Governor Sakaja has vehemently denied any involvement: “These accusations are not only false, they are desperate attempts by certain well known individuals whose political careers are marked by violence, intimidation, chaos and have gone as far as to hire goons to come and infiltrate protests.”
He added, “Let us not be hoodwinked. Some have gone as far as giving them county paraphernalia to say they work for the county government. Nothing is further from the truth.”
A source familiar with the operations commented: “On one hand, you have Nellah and her team of UDA sympathisers and their goons; on the other, there’s Liz wa Sakaja. These two operate with ruthless efficiency to please their masters.”
Samuel Mundia, a well-known UDA mobiliser, is described as a political bully who reportedly executes such assignments with zeal, often collaborating with notorious goons, particularly in the Kayole area.
Another prominent ground operative is Calvince Okoth, popularly known as Gaucho, who famously brands himself as the “Ghetto President.”
Once a fierce critic of the current administration, Gaucho appears to have undergone a political transformation and shifted his allegiances. “He now lives in Thindigua after his newfound fortunes. However, he still operates in the slums, where his influence is waning. In fact, he’s had to go into hiding, he’s no longer loved by everyone,” said a source.
In Kibera, the primary point person has been identified as Swalleh Sonko, who recently filmed himself pleading for forgiveness from Gen Z protesters.
In Korogocho, recruitment efforts are reportedly led by area MCA Absalom Odhiambo, also known as Matakwei.
In one of the many conversations, Don Kamau explicitly declared: “Mimi naeka open bill kwa vijana wangu. Kila simu unaleta nakupea 5K, na uende na hiyo simu ujue kenye utafanyia.” Loosely Translated: “I’ve put an open bounty for my boys. For every phone you bring, I give you Ksh 5,000, you take it and know what to do with it.”
Under what insiders are calling “Operation Okoa Simu” (Save Phone), Nellah reportedly articulated the objective: “The goal is for Gen Zs to either leave their phones at home or stay at home altogether. Remember, they’ve been showing up at protests for content, to broadcast to the world that they’re winning.”
She further explained that phones enable protesters to record and expose security officers, thus putting them at risk. “Without phones, they won’t be able to cover the demos.”
This publication has learned that mainstream media outlets are among the top targets ahead of tomorrow’s protests.
Digital strategists have reportedly developed smear campaigns and hashtags specifically designed to discredit media outlets perceived to be covering the demonstrations in a certain light.
Last year, at the height of similar protests, several media houses were similarly subjected to coordinated online attacks by government-aligned propagandists, who aimed to tarnish reputations.
Some campaigns specifically targeted individual journalists and media organizations. One such hashtag campaign, targeting Standard Group and Royal Media Services, featured terms like #TheGenocideMedia and #OccupyKTN.
In a message attributed to government apologist and Kenya Power board chair Joy Brenda Mdivo, she wrote: “By the way, that tag of ‘Genocide Media’ is really pinching them. Inawauma sana.’’
