Kenyan President William Ruto has issued a stern warning against ongoing violent protests and what he described as attempts to destabilize the government through unconstitutional means.
In his strongest statement yet, Ruto condemned the recent unrest that has rocked several parts of the country, accusing unnamed individuals of sponsoring the chaos in a bid to unseat his administration before the 2027 elections.
The East African nation has witnessed a wave of protests since June last year, triggered by public anger over proposed tax hikes, worsening economic conditions, police brutality, and deep-rooted corruption.
What began as youth-led demonstrations have intensified in recent weeks, with security forces responding with increasing force.
Speaking to a crowd of supporters in Nairobi, Ruto criticized those behind the unrest, accusing them of planning destruction and inciting violence to create instability.
He declared that attacks on police officers and public property would be treated as acts of war, vowing that the state would not allow such actions to go unpunished.
The president’s remarks come on the heels of large-scale anti-government protests held earlier this week, which resulted in at least 31 deaths, according to Kenyan human rights organizations.
These groups have condemned the excessive use of force by law enforcement and raised concerns about organized groups allegedly paid to infiltrate demonstrations and instigate violence and looting.
As tensions remain high, calls for accountability and dialogue continue to grow, with civil society urging the government to uphold democratic rights while addressing the underlying causes of the public’s discontent.
AFP
