Kenyan President William Ruto has spoken out for the first time since nationwide protests escalated into deadly violence, warning that his administration will not tolerate “anarchy disguised as peaceful demonstrations.” His comments come amid mounting criticism over the government’s heavy-handed response to weeks of unrest that have left at least 50 people dead and hundreds injured. Addressing the nation on Wednesday, Ruto instructed security forces to act decisively against violent demonstrators, even suggesting they should “shoot in the leg” those involved in looting or arson. “Enough is enough,” the president said, blaming the protests on politically motivated actors aiming to destabilize the country and unseat his government through unconstitutional means.
The demonstrations erupted following the death of a popular blogger in police custody last month and intensified after a viral video showed a police officer shooting an unarmed civilian at point-blank range during a protest against police brutality. Tensions peaked during mass rallies on June 25, coinciding with the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests that paralyzed the country in 2024. Protesters gathered in Nairobi and across 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties. Police set up roadblocks around the capital and clashed with demonstrators in multiple regions, resulting in at least 31 deaths and over 100 injuries during Monday’s crackdown alone. More than 500 people were arrested.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has called on the Kenyan government to address the protesters’ legitimate grievances and ensure accountability. Human rights groups have also urged restraint from police forces, who have been widely accused of using excessive force. In response to growing public outrage, five police officers have been charged in connection with the blogger’s death and the close-range shooting incident. Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat, who reportedly filed the complaint leading to the blogger’s arrest, has temporarily stepped aside pending investigations. President Ruto, who came to power in 2022 on promises of economic reform and social justice, now faces the toughest political test of his presidency, as critics accuse his administration of failing to address rising public discontent and worsening police violence.
