Ruto at pains to explain police brutality during demonstrations

Gen Zs light candles in honour of their fallen peers who died during peaceful protests at Kenyatta National Hospital on June 30, 2024. [Denish Ochieng, Standard]

President William Ruto was at pains to explain to the country why there are increasing abductions of Kenyans critical of his government.

Ruto also struggled to explain the use of excessive force by police on harmless youthful protestors that led to the death of 23 as hundreds were injured in recent demonstrations.

Speaking during a live interview with KTN NEWS, NTV and Citizen TV at State House in Nairobi, Ruto said the records he has indicated that 19 people died during the countrywide demonstrations.

The president said property worth Sh 2.4 billion was destroyed with offices of the Chief Justice, Parliament and City Hall burnt during the weeklong violence. He disputed the figure of 24 given by journalists interviewing him.

“Any Kenyan life lost bothers me, and it is the reason why when I was elected I said that there would be no extrajudicial killings in Kenya. I also ensured there is an Independent Police Service and signed the necessary instruments to operate independently,” said Ruto.

The president said children had become victims of demonstrations, noting that "great young people" had come out to prosecute their agenda and claimed he was certain some people took advantage of the situation and destroyed property.

“ I care when there are issues in town and where criminals take advantage forcing the police to use live bullets is a matter of concern. In Ngong, the police were overpowered by criminals who used firearms against the people with the police forced to shoot the criminals who hijacked a police gun,” said Ruto.

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Spice FM journalist Eric Latiff told the president Kenya National Commission of Human Rights (KNCHR) had accounted for 24 people killed during the demonstration but Ruto disputed the number saying the commission did not verify the deaths.

The president termed KNCHR as reckless in its statement saying that the government was investigating and that a proper explanation would be given to the country about what truly happened.

The head of state had been put to task to explain reports of the abduction of former Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter with his wife and children in broad daylight

“If someone is summoned by the police and refuses to go, are the police not entitled to come for them? Those who respect the law must be protected by the law. Those who do not respect the law will face the full force of the law,” said Ruto.

The president said some people have lost their livelihood due to the current wave of demonstrations and that it was horrible when people are grieving when what they have made for many years is destroyed, just like those who are wailing for the arrest of their people.

Latiff told the president 39 people had been abducted and some held incommunicado without being taken to court, which means the rule of law was not observed and that there was no justification for the police using excessive force on unharmed demonstrators.

The news anchor asked the president if he was holding the police accountable for 24 people killed, 39 abducted, 627 arrested.

“Are you guys bothered that Parliament was burnt and hardworking Kenyans have lost property worth Sh2.4 billion? So many people were offended when I spoke of criminals taking over demonstrations, with some of the protesters being robbed by some of these criminals,” Ruto said.

The president said he has the responsibility to protect protesters and other Kenyans whose property was destroyed by criminals who took over a democratic and peaceful protest by the youths, and that the well-meaning youths.

He said the government had prior information and took precautionary measures which prevented many deaths and that those people who have been arrested will be taken to court today.

He said the people attacked Parliament and the Chief Justice's office were recorded on CCTV.

The president said any killer cop who went against what is provided for in law will face justice and that police officers are still officers even in civilian clothing.

Ruto, however, maintained that he was satisfied with the manner the police handled the demonstrations but excesses, if there any, would be looked into .

The president refused to comment on remarks made by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over the demonstrations.