On Wednesday, President William Ruto gave a serious warning to people taking part in violent protests. He told the police they should use force carefully, suggesting that if someone attacks a business or a police station, they should be shot in the leg.
“Anyone who tries to break into a business or a police station should be shot in the leg. After that, they can go to court to see what happens,” Ruto said while speaking to police officers during the launch of the Police Housing Project at Kilimani Police Station in Nairobi.
The President looked upset as he spoke against certain people he said were causing chaos and protests around the country recently. He warned that the government would not accept any more attempts to disturb peace in the country.
“I have been quiet and put up with these people who want to change the government in illegal ways—but enough is enough,” Ruto declared.
“We will not allow it. We are coming for you,” he added. He warned that those who want to remove him from office before 2027 should know that they won’t succeed in ruining the country through unlawful means.
Ruto said that attacking police stations, officers, or public property was like declaring war, and the government would respond strongly to such actions.
“Anyone who attacks our police officers, police stations, or facilities is starting a war. We cannot allow a country to be ruled by fear or disorder,” he stated.
He also asked for respect between citizens and government workers, saying that law and order are important. He cautioned that people who hide behind protests to commit crimes would face consequences.
Ruto pointed out that it was not fair for some people to use the problem of youth unemployment as a reason to incite violence.
He said that the issue of young people not having jobs has existed long before he became president, and his government is working to fix it.
Additionally, he mentioned that some individuals were trying to promote tribalism to upset his government, and he promised not to accept that.
“Presidents Moi, Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta were in office before me. So why is everyone making a big deal out of this? Why didn’t Kibaki and Uhuru face this kind of situation? Let’s stop the disrespect and tribalism,” Ruto added.
The President’s statements come at a time when tensions are rising in the country as protests led by young people against government policies grow, with calls for change and accountability becoming stronger.
These comments are likely to lead to many discussions about laws and human rights, which have not always been respected in recent times.
A recent report from the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) stated that the death toll from the protests on Saba Saba Day, which was on Monday, July 7, had climbed to 31.
Dr. Raymond Nyeris, the Vice-Chairperson of KNCHR, announced on Tuesday, July 8, that by 7 pm, they had recorded more deaths and arrests connected to the protests across the country..
