NAIROBI, Kenya Jun 19 – President William Ruto has directed Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen and security agencies to deal firmly with criminal groups, warning that individuals using protests to cause violence will face the law.
Speaking during the burial ceremony of the wife of veteran politician Henry Kosgey in Nandi, Ruto said Kenya cannot allow violence and chaos disguised as demonstrations.
The President said some young people are being used by politicians who have failed to offer solutions, turning them into tools for causing destruction.
“We do not want a violent nation. When a person lacks a plan and has no ideas, they look for trouble,” Ruto said.
He argued that the biggest problem is not the young people involved but those who recruit and fund them.
“These goons are not the problem; they are innocent children being used by bankrupt politicians. Those who have no brains are the ones who organize chaos, beat people up and cause losses,” he stated.
Ruto instructed CS Murkomen and the police to take action against criminal elements and those financing them.
“Murkomen and your police force, all goons must be thoroughly disciplined. Those who pay these children must also be pursued,” he said.
The President questioned why some leaders would allegedly encourage other people’s children to engage in violence while protecting their own families.
“You cannot leave your own child at home, go pay someone else’s child, give them stones, machetes and clubs to go and fight other people,” Ruto said.
His remarks come ahead of planned demonstrations linked to the second anniversary of the Gen Z protests scheduled for June 25.
Ruto said Kenya remains a country governed by laws and democratic principles, insisting that every citizen’s rights must be respected.
“We are a country that has procedures, we respect the law and we believe in democracy. As an organized society, we must respect the rights of everybody,” he said.
The President also acknowledged the right of Kenyans to protest, saying citizens with complaints or petitions have a constitutional right to be heard.
However, he warned that peaceful demonstrations should not interfere with the rights of other citizens.
“Those who have issues and want to protest, their right is guaranteed. But so is the right of children to go to school, farmers to go to the farm, business people to do business and workers to go to work,” he said.
Ruto said all rights must exist together and no one should use demonstrations as an excuse to destroy property or harm others.
“If you go to a protest carrying stones, machetes and clubs, you are not a protester. We will deal with you,” he warned.
He added that anyone pretending to demonstrate while engaging in destruction would not be tolerated.
“You cannot pretend you are going to a protest, only to destroy people’s property, burn property and injure others. That is not acceptable,” he said.
Ruto further called on political leaders to be responsible and explain their actions instead of creating conflicts.
The President said his administration would continue working with Kenyans to promote peace, unity and stability.
