Crackdown on 'sponsors' of Gen Z protests, West Pokot leaders tell Ruto

Protestors carried coffins to Nairobi's CBD via Moi Avenue on June 02, 2024, when they mounted a demonstration calling on President William Ruto to resign over the punitive taxes contained in the Finance Bill 2024. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

North Rift leaders want President William Ruto to stamp his authority and bring to book those who they say are out to sabotage his administration.

Following nationwide anti-government demonstrations by the youth with the support of some opposition leaders, politicians allied with President Ruto said the government should arrest those behind the unrest.

Led by West Pokot Governor Simon Kachapin, they condemned violent demonstrations and urged the Head of State to arrest perpetrators.

"As leaders, we will not sit down and watch our sons and daughters engage in unlawful acts. We have a constitution that we need to respect. Who are those inciting our children? How do they want the current regime to run the government? I urge our President to stand firm and use his powers to defend our Constitution," said Kachapin.

He was speaking during the launch of a pediatric ward at Kabichbich Health Centre.

Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong issued a stern warning to those he said have been sabotaging Kenya Kwanza efforts to restore the economy.

Lochakapong said the country should not be brought to a standstill by people who, he said, were out to unconstitutionally eject President Ruto out of office.

"We thought it was about the Finance Bill but it has turned out to be attempts to overthrow the government which was put in place by majority of Kenyans. We have people misusing Gen Z without them knowing. Even after the President withdrew the bill, youths are still adamant that the President should vacate office,” he said.

The MP vowed to continue defending the President.

“Let them wait until 2027 or 2032. We fully support the President. The US dollar has gone down and Kenyan shilling has gained. Kenya has changed and there is no way someone can get power through the backdoor without following the constitution. The economy is improving and some people are not happy with Kenya Kwanza’s performance,” he said.

He cautioned the youth against misusing social media and claimed that some people were financing young people to rise against the government.

“When Kenya gets destroyed, everyone will be affected. The President is ready to listen. There was public participation and stakeholder’s engagement before the finance bill came. What do they want if they are not ready for engagement?” he posed.

He said politicians, nongovernmental organizations and business people behind a scheme to destabilise the government should be named and shamed.

Lochakapong added that he supported the Finance Bill because it had many benefits to his constituents.