President Ruto cautions religious, political leaders against inciting violent protests

President William Ruto has warned religious and political leaders against inciting young people into violent demonstrations.

The President says the country is in the state it is in because of the actions of the two sets of leaders, whom he accuses of encouraging young people to commit crimes under the guise of exercising their rights.

He warned that the government will not hesitate to deal with the organisers, with what Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen termed as the force and power used to deal with bandits and terrorists.

"Hatungefika hapa kama viongozi wa kanisa, na viongozi wa kisiasa hawangeshiriki katika uchochezi wa vijana kuenda kwa maandamano. Religious leaders and politicians, let us not incite our young people into situations where lawlessness becomes the order of the day," he said.

In keeping with the tone and spirit demonstrated within the week, the government has doubled down on its stand on handling violent protesters.

Speaking in the Interior CS's backyard, Elgeyo Marakwet, both Kipchumba Murkomen and President Ruto were not mincing their words on the question of the handling of violent protesters.

"The same power and energy we used to deal with banditry and terrorism is the same energy and power we will use to deal with hooligans who burn properties, invade police stations, attack Parliament and courts, and march to State House," Murkomen stated.

Ruto added: "Watu wanapiga askari, wanavamia polisi, wanachoma makorti, mali ya watu – hao si vijana wa Kenya, hao ni wahalifu. Lazima tukabiliane na wao kama wahalifu."

The government further warned opposition politicians against hiding behind the tribalism veil, promising that no action will be spared to secure Kenya.

"Wanatuambia kwa sababu hao watu wanaharibu mali wametoka Nyeri we should not act. We will protect life and property regardless of where they come from. We will deal with wakora from Nyahururu the same way we dealt with the one from Nairobi, Kitengela, Ngong," warned the CS.

Ruto on his part said, "We will do whatever it takes, whatever it costs. Sitarudi nyuma. Nimevumilia ya kutosha. Kenyans will be safe. Police will do their jobs, watahakikisha kwamba wakora wameshikwa, na wale wanasiasa tutakutana na wao."