Ruto Condemns June 25 Protests as ‘Economic Sabotage,’ Orders Swift Prosecution
Nairobi – President William Ruto has condemned the June 25 protests that turned violent across multiple towns, leaving at least 16 people dead and hundreds injured. Addressing the nation during the World MSME Day at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre in Nairobi, Ruto labeled the unrest “calculated chaos” and “economic sabotage.”
“What we witnessed was not peaceful protest,” Ruto said. “It was destruction. It was economic sabotage. Let’s call it what it is.”
The protests, largely driven by youth opposing the controversial Finance Bill 2024, escalated into confrontations between demonstrators and police, with widespread reports of looting and destruction of property. Small businesses, market stalls, and public infrastructure were among the hardest hit.
Ruto acknowledged the constitutional right to protest but insisted that the events went beyond legal boundaries. “The right to peaceful protest is protected by our Constitution. We respect and uphold that right. But what we saw was not peaceful. It was violent. It hurt innocent Kenyans.”
He emphasized the impact on traders, especially micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), who he said were the biggest victims. “Is this the Kenya we want? Do we build by day and burn it down by night?” he asked. “Those responsible are not fighting for freedom; they are attacking it.”
Ruto described the riots as “anarchy dressed in freedom colors” and challenged citizens to reflect on the consequences of violent demonstrations. He said the violence undermines democratic space and the rule of law.
The president directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to lead a full investigation into the destruction. He instructed security agencies to identify those responsible and bring them to justice.
“I expect the Inspector-General of Police and all relevant security agencies to conduct immediate, thorough, and speedy investigations,” Ruto said. “The perpetrators of this violence, looting, and destruction must be identified, unmasked, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law swiftly and decisively.”
The President did not address calls from civil rights groups and opposition leaders for an independent inquiry into the killings, though pressure for accountability continues to mount.
The government has not yet released an official breakdown of the casualties, but human rights monitors confirmed fatalities and injuries resulting from live bullets and police confrontations.
Ruto ended his remarks by reaffirming his commitment to democratic governance but warned that power must be pursued through the ballot not through chaos.
“Kenya is a democracy. We believe in elections, not anarchy. Leadership is earned through ideas, not fire and stones,” he said.
