President William Ruto now says Kenyans do not need to protest, even as youths push for a nane nane march on Thursday, August 8, 2024.
Speaking on Wednesday in Iriari village in Embu County, Ruto said peace should prevail and called on Kenyans to reject destructive demonstrations.
“Sisi ni nchi ambayo tunaamini kwa amani. Let’s hope for a brighter future together in Kenya. Hatutaki maandamano ambayo inaleta maafa, ambayo watu wanapoteza mali yao. Tunataka amani,” he said.
This is loosely translated as “We are a country that believes in peace. We do not want chaos in our country, Kenya. We oppose demonstrations that result in fatalities and property loss. We want peace.”
On Thursday, acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli assured of the National Police Service’s preparedness to maintain peace across the country.
Speaking at the National Police Service Campus in Embakasi following discussions with regional police bosses, Masengeli announced a nationwide security escalation, but not to an unusual degree.
“Every Kenyan, as per the law, has the liberty to demonstrate, picket, and assemble.” Everyone is fully aware of this right, and he stated that where one individual’s privilege ends, another begins.
Masengeli said Kenyans can peacefully protest and must all follow the law.
“The Rome Statute and the Kenyan Constitution govern us,” he stated, reaffirming that we will deal firmly with criminal elements.
“Gen Zs have a message to convey, and we have listened. We now need to distinguish between Gen Zs and opportunists who exploit those riots to instigate chaos, damage property, and commit violent acts against the law.”
Expectations are that Thursday’s demonstrations, which started on June 18, 2024, will be the “mother of all protests.”
