President William Ruto has condemned the violent actions of criminals who have caused extensive property damage amounting to KES 2.4 billion, including the burning of key government buildings and the invasion of the parliament’s armoury.
President Ruto assured that investigations are underway to hold those responsible accountable.
In a roundtable interview, President Ruto addressed the ongoing crisis that has engulfed the nation, leading to significant property destruction and loss of life. “Everybody is entitled to their opinion,” President Ruto stated, emphasizing the democratic right to protest, but he was quick to condemn the violence that ensued.
The President provided a grim tally of the devastation: “KES 2.4 billion worth of property has been destroyed. The office of the Chief Justice has been burnt. City Hall has been burnt. Parliament has been burnt.” The interview underscored the severity of the unrest, with over 20 deaths reported and 39 individuals still missing, allegedly due to state-driven abductions.
One of the most alarming incidents was the invasion of the parliament’s armoury. “They invaded parliament and went straight for the armory. They went straight at the armory at the sergeant at arms office,” President Ruto revealed, highlighting the targeted nature of the attack. These incidents have sparked nationwide outrage and fear, raising serious questions about the security apparatus’s ability to protect vital state institutions.
The President also addressed allegations of excessive use of force by the police, which have resulted in civilian casualties, including the tragic death of a 12-year-old boy, Kennedy Onyango. “Any life lost is something that must bother anybody, beginning with myself,” President Ruto said, expressing his condolences to the families affected. He reiterated his administration’s commitment to independent police operations and thorough investigations into each incident.
Despite the chaos, President Ruto remained firm on his stance against extrajudicial killings. “When I came into office, I said there will be no extrajudicial killing in Kenya,” he affirmed, promising accountability and transparency in the ongoing investigations. He also criticized the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights for allegedly spreading misinformation about the scale of the violence.
The President assured the public that the government is taking all necessary measures to restore order and justice. “There will be an investigation on how these 19 Kenyans died. There will be clarity, an explanation for each and every one of them,” he vowed.
