Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has made a call for calm amidst ongoing anti-government protests. He stated that demonstrators are unwillingly inviting confrontations with the police.
Kenyan youths have been vandalizing both private and public property during the ongoing anti-government protests. Photo: Courtesy/ Switch Media Files.
Rigathi urged protestors to refrain from taking to the streets. Emphasizing that peaceful demonstrations would allow the police to remain in their stations.
“You cannot go to the streets destroying property and expect police to come kiss you.”
Rigathi Gachagua, Deputy President
While accompanying President William Ruto on a tour of Murang’a, Gachagua also criticized opposition leader Raila Odinga. He accused him of attempting to gain power through backdoor politics.
The Deputy President emphasized that the path to government involvement lies only in democratic elections.
“The only route to get to the government is through election which we did last year and he (Odinga) should wait for the next election.”
President Ruto echoed Gachagua’s sentiments. Ruto affirmed that no one would be allowed to act with impunity, regardless of their position or influence.
“Nobody will be allowed to go against the law, irrespective of who you are, the authority you think you have, or the power you imagine you have.”
William Ruto, President
The duo restated their commitment to upholding the rule of law. Being that it acts as the foundation for the country’s progress and development. Deputy President Gachagua urged all citizens to embrace peaceful means of expressing their views.
Victor Juma was unlawfully arrested by a police officer. The officer was dressed in plain clothes posing as a journalist. This unprofessional arrest came after Juma criticized the police for throwing teargas at his child. Juma’s child passed out due to the suffocating fumes from the teargas. Photo: Courtesy/ Switch Media Files
On the other hand, President Ruto assured that those who defy the law would face consequences.
“We promised the country that we will make sure that the firm foundation of the rule of law is found to determine how we go forward as the country.”
William Ruto, President
The President’s and his deputy’s remarks remind Kenyans that a stable and lawful society requires unity and adherence to democratic principles. It would do Kenya a whole lot good if its citizens and government would heed to constitutional and democratic rules.
Nevertheless, a number of local and international humanitarian organizations have condemned the excessive use of force by the police. The police have been accused of all sorts of offences. These include, unlawful arrests, shooting live rounds at protestors, masquerading as journalists and brutality to vulnerable citizens, such as children.
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