Kenyan President William Ruto has vowed to take tough measures to quell the riots that have paralyzed the country in recent days. The unrest follows the passage of the controversial Finance Bill by Parliament, which introduces several new taxes. Protesters are demanding that the bill be recalled and rejected, arguing that it will exacerbate the financial burden on citizens.
In a brief address from State House in Nairobi, delivered after a day of violent protests that left many injured and some dead, President Ruto called for civility and reiterated his commitment to protecting the people and property of Kenya. He also accused unnamed elements of instigating the unrest and vowed to crush them.
“Kenyans must maintain civility. As your president, it is my duty to protect you and your property,” Ruto stated. “However, there are certain elements behind these riots that must be addressed, and we will take strong measures against them.”
The speech, however, was met with disappointment by many Kenyans, who felt underwhelmed by the president’s approach. They expressed frustration over what they perceived as threats rather than solutions to the nation’s pressing issues.
“This is not what we expected from our president,” said one protester. “We need solutions, not threats.”
