NAIROBI, Kenya, Jun 30 – President William Ruto on Sunday addressed the ongoing protests against the Finance Bill 2024, defending his administration against accusations of excessive police brutality and expressing a willingness to engage in dialogue with Generation Z protesters.
During a joint media interview, President Ruto stated, “I have no blood on my hands,” responding to questions about the conduct of his administration during the protests that resulted in more than 20 deaths. He emphasized that any loss of life is a grave concern. “Any life that is lost is something that must bother everybody, including myself,” he said.
While human rights organizations have reported that the death toll stands at 24, President Ruto contested this figure, stating that investigations are ongoing to determine the accurate number. “I do not understand where they got the number from, but what is clear is that investigations will tell us the truth,” he said.
The President defended the actions of the police, asserting that they were doing their job and that criminals had infiltrated the protests, causing destruction, including the burning of Parliament and other critical government infrastructure. “Criminals have caused immense harm and I must protect everybody, especially innocent people,” he stated. He reiterated his commitment to upholding the law and assured that there would be no extrajudicial killings under his leadership.
Addressing the Nation’s Debt Crisis
President Ruto also expressed regret over the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, a decision that will force the government to borrow an additional Sh1 trillion for the Financial Year 2024/2025. He lamented the impact this will have on Kenya’s debt situation, which is already strained. “I have been working to remove Kenya from a debt trap, but unfortunately that is not going to happen anytime soon,” he said.
Despite the withdrawal of the bill, Ruto praised Members of Parliament who supported it, calling them “heroes” and suggesting that those who opposed it would regret their decision in the future. “In years to come, Kenyans will appreciate the efforts of the MPs who were for the Bill,” he noted. He acknowledged that better communication might have helped in persuading Kenyans of the bill’s benefits. “My regret is that we didn’t explain ourselves better,” he admitted.
Willingness to Engage with Generation Z
In light of the protests, President Ruto expressed his readiness to engage in dialogue with Generation Z, who have been actively demonstrating against his administration’s tax policies and governance issues. He indicated his willingness to converse with the youth on their preferred platforms, including X Space, to work towards improving Kenya. “I’m ready to engage with them to understand their issues,” he said.
The youth have organized nationwide protests for two weeks over the Finance Bill 2024. Ruto’s willingness to engage was seen as a response to the perceived disconnect between the youth and the government. “I have young people in the house, and I know some of their concerns,” he stated.
Addressing the #RutoMustGo Hashtag
President Ruto also addressed the trending hashtag #RutoMustGo, stating that it does not bother him as Kenyans have a constitutional right to express their opinions and hold his administration accountable. “Everybody is entitled to their opinion. I have a job to do. Citizens are free to engage in any discourse they want. Those are the fruits and signs of a democracy,” he remarked.
In response to claims by human rights organizations that 24 lives were lost during the protests, Ruto insisted that the official count is 19. “I have no blood on my hands. According to the records I have, 19 people died. It’s very unfortunate, and in a democracy, that should not be part of our conversation,” he stated.
Commitment to Rule of Law
The President’s remarks come amid ongoing tension and scrutiny over the government’s handling of the protests and the subsequent fatalities. He reiterated his commitment to addressing the concerns raised and ensuring that the rule of law prevails in Kenya. He maintained that criminal elements had exploited the protests to wreak havoc. “I have kept my promise that there would be no extrajudicial killings in Kenya,” he asserted, reaffirming his stance against unlawful state actions.
