President William Ruto has fiercely rejected allegations that his administration orchestrated attacks by hired thugs to destroy businesses belonging to the Kikuyu community during the deadly Saba Saba protests, calling such claims “unacceptable” and “foolish” in a heated speech in Kilimani, Nairobi.
The accusations emerged after protests that claimed 31 lives, per the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), and caused a Sh18 billion daily GDP loss.
Ruto’s remarks have deepened Kenya’s political divide as the nation grapples with unrest and tribalism accusations ahead of the 2027 elections.
Speaking at a police housing project launch, Ruto challenged the claims’ source, saying, “Kuna mtu anatangaza serikali ilipanga wahuni na watu wakuharibu biashara ya jamii moja… kutangaza mambo ya kiujinga mitandaoni is unacceptable,” urging the accuser to file a police statement identifying specific perpetrators or locations.
Local media quoted Ruto demanding, “Aende aandikishe statement aseme ni mtu fulani, ni kiongozi fulani, ni maeneo fulani,” dismissing the allegations as attempts to incite division.
The claims, reportedly linked to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who is currently on a U.S. tour, allege state-backed attacks on Kikuyu businesses in Eldoret and Nairobi during the protests, which saw incidents like the burning of Itibo Police Station after a student’s fatal shooting.
The #WeAreAllKikuyus movement, trending on social media, counters these allegations by promoting unity, with users noting Kenyans adopting Kikuyu names to reject tribalism narratives.
Sources wrote, “We’re standing with Kikuyus because the government is trying to make us hate them.”
The protests, driven by Gen Z anger over unemployment, corruption, and police brutality, saw 17 counties shut down, with KNCHR reporting 532 arrests and two forced disappearances.
Ruto’s directive to police to “shoot protesters in the leg” if caught looting, reported by KTN news, has drawn condemnation from human rights groups and fuelled accusations of state violence.
President Ruto: Kuna mtu anatangaza serikali ilipanga wahuni na watu wakuharibu biashara ya jamii moja… kutangaza mambo ya kiujinga mitandaoni is unacceptable pic.twitter.com/8PQV1DzDqb
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) July 9, 2025
Analysts like Karuti Kanyinga warn that Ruto’s dismissal of the claims risks alienating communities, especially as his unfulfilled 2022 promise to create 4 million jobs with Sh200 billion continues to stoke unrest.
KTN News exposed Ruto’s mobilization of women to boost rally attendance, further eroding trust.
Netizens posted, “Ruto calls it ‘kiujinga’ but ignores the 31 deaths; where’s the accountability?” As Gachagua rallies the diaspora in the U.S., accusing Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wah of orchestrating attacks, the tribalism debate intensifies.
With Kenya’s history of election-related ethnic violence, including 2007’s 1,000 deaths, Ruto’s rejection of these claims shows the delicate balance needed to prevent further escalation before 2027.
