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| Ruto lauds for persistent work during the protests |
Countrywide protests erupted into chaos across various counties following the approval of the controversial Finance Bill 2024 by Kenya Kwanza MPs. William Ruto in a meeting with the Haiti Transitional Presidential Council (l). Kenya police at the Nairobi streets during the anti-finance bill protests. The unrest resulted in injuries and five fatalities as police resorted to using live ammunition to quell the situation. William Ruto speaks after Gen Z protests In a national address shortly after the historic protests, President William Ruto denounced the incidents that garnered global attention. He praised the police for their actions during the unrest. “I thank our security officers who were on duty today for applying themselves to the best of their abilities in the defence of Kenya and its people. Accordingly, I have directed all the organs of national security to deploy measures to thwart any attempts by dangerous criminals to undermine the stability of our country,” he said. The President emphasised that those responsible for vandalizing state infrastructure were not peaceful Gen Z demonstrators but rather criminals intent on committing treason. “It is not in order or even conceivable that criminals pretending to be peaceful protestors can rain terror against the people, their elected representatives and the institutions established under our constitution and expect to go scot-free. We must isolate crime from democratic expressions and separate criminals from people exercising the freedom of expression and divergent opinions,” he added. Kenyans respond to Ruto’s speech after protests However, his brief remarks sparked widespread outrage among many Kenyans, who continued to express their discontent with the Kenya Kwanza regime. Waweru Uyu said: “People come peacefully, you rain bullets on them. You even have snipers! They react halafu unafungua mdomo kuwaita criminals!! Like seriously?” Kennie Balo observed “It appears President Ruto is underestimating the scale of the protests. His statements were predictable and seemed designed to downplay their significance, despite the protests being more common than he acknowledges.” Shazz Shanita advised: “Ruto doesn’t have any clue what being a president is! It’s high time now kenyans learn that being a vice president doesn’t warrant you being the next president of the republic.” Margi Njeri said: “Even the pharaoh was there, okay, continue to harden your heart Mr President your days are numbered.” Mentor Austin Omanya “Even the army cannot stop this. We’ve been reading about Sierra Leon, Burkina Faso, Egypt and the like. Kenya belongs to all of us! Why the arrogance from the elected leaders na bado.” Key Seven said: “We are unarmed criminals protecting our motherland from Blasphemous leaders.” Edith Ella reacted: “He’s not even apologetic about the young blood that we’ve lost today.” Martoh Krey said: “This pride of his will soon come down ata bible imecondemn but ni sawa tu. Let’s see how far he’ll get.” Rob Kipkoech Chepkong’a said: “I don’t believe the general public is in any danger from Gen Z. Claiming that the military man has been deployed to keep us safe is diverse! Aesthetics of non-value. The public has lost confidence in this government.” Kaitezi Dabwires said: “You may think they are criminals but mind you the power of criminals can make u lose your office.”
by Nancy Odindo