Even as various stakeholders, including the United Nations and human rights groups, accuse the police of using excessive force in the recent wave of anti-government protests, President William Ruto on Saturday doubled down on his shoot-on-the-leg order, promising to firmly defend people’s lives and properties, as he accused the opposition of inciting the youth to violence.
President Ruto said he would act decisively against criminals who target people’s property, including by looting.
The Head of State also said that religious and political leaders should not interpret firm action against the planners of chaotic demonstrations — which have claimed several lives and led to the destruction of property—as political persecution.
“I have been patient for too long, and now enough is enough. Those of you who incite the youth into violence will be held responsible, and you should not blame it on political persecution,” said President Ruto during a tree-planting exercise in Simotwo, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Saturday.
Dr Ruto said the protests were aimed at discrediting his government and cautioned the opposition and religious leaders against protecting criminals involved in the destruction of property during demonstrations.
“Do not threaten us with politics. We will do everything possible to protect the life and property of Kenyans at all costs, as enshrined in the Constitution,” said President Ruto.
The Head of State said individuals arrested in connection with damaging property—including setting ablaze police stations, courts, and private property in Morang’a, Nyeri, Nakuru, Nairobi, Mombasa, and other parts of the country—would be treated as criminals and dealt with according to the law.
He insisted that all individuals causing mayhem in the country would be arrested and face the full force of the law, regardless of their social status.
“I will not backtrack in ensuring that the lives and property of all Kenyans are protected, and my critics must be ready to square it out in the coming general elections."
President Ruto reiterated that the opposition has no agenda for Kenyans and is inciting the youth into violence to resuscitate its dwindling political fortunes.
“Let us judge every leader based on performance. I have stabilized the economy, created jobs through the housing project, the digital economy, and the foreign labour market,” said Dr Ruto.
He emphasized that he has a clear re-election agenda for 2027 and challenged the opposition to prepare for a titanic political battle.
The Head of State also defended the Social Health Authority (SHA), noting that unlike the previous NHIF, it would be free of corruption and would enable Kenyans to access quality healthcare services.
“I will make sure that SHA is corruption-free, and I urge Kenyans to register with the scheme and access better healthcare under SHA,” said Dr Ruto.
The President announced the release of Sh550 million for the Rural Electrification Scheme in Elgeyo Marakwet County, Sh150 million for water connections to 15,000 households around the Etio Dam, and a further Sh347 million for domestic, irrigation, and fisheries water supply in the region.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who was among the Cabinet Secretaries accompanying President Ruto, equated violent protesters who destroyed property to terrorists and warned that the law would deal firmly with all acts of criminality.
“We have a responsibility to protect the lives and property of Kenyans, and we will act firmly against goons irrespective of tribal, political, or regional backgrounds,” said Mr Murkomen.
The CS said that police have a duty to ensure that Kenya is safe by dealing firmly with lawbreakers.
“As we intensify the fight against banditry and terrorism, we will also go after the goons behind the looting of property, the burning of police stations and courts, and other acts of violence,” said Mr Murkomen.
Environment Cabinet Secretary Debora Mulongo Barasa expressed commitment to the government's agenda of planting 15 billion trees by 2032, noting that 842 million trees have already been planted, up from 52 million ten years ago.
At the same time, National Treasury Principal Secretary Dr Chris Kiptoo said the Kaptagat Integrated Conservation Program has reclaimed 2,700 hectares of degraded forest and distributed over 300,000 assorted tree seedlings.
Present at the occasion were governors Wisley Rotich (Elgeyo Marakwet) and his Uasin Gishu counterpart Jonathan Bii; senators William Kisang (Elgeyo Marakwet) and Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu); several Principal Secretaries; and Members of the National Assembly.
