President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to individuals behind recent attacks on police officers and the destruction of public property, branding such acts as terrorism and declaring that they will be met with decisive force. Speaking on Wednesday during an inspection of affordable housing units for police officers in Kilimani, Nairobi, the President said he has reached the end of his patience.
“Nimewavumilia ya kutosha, sasa mtanikoma (I have tolerated you enough, now you will deal with me),” Ruto stated firmly, accusing those involved of declaring war against the Republic of Kenya.
In his strongest remarks yet since the onset of protests across the country, Ruto dismissed the unrest as no longer being peaceful demonstrations but outright anarchy. “Kenya cannot and will not be ruled through threats, terror, or chaos. Not under my watch,” he asserted.
The President’s comments follow a wave of demonstrations that have seen police stations stormed, officers attacked, and public infrastructure vandalized. He blamed unnamed politicians for inciting young people under the guise of civil activism, suggesting that some were attempting to push for regime change through unconstitutional means.
“To those plotting in the shadows, let me tell you clearly. If you have ambitions, prepare your policies and meet me in 2027. There is no shortcut, no backdoor,” he warned.
President Ruto maintained that his administration will deploy every legal instrument to protect lives, businesses, and public institutions. “I will protect Kenyans. I will protect their businesses. That is my duty as President, and I will do it, firmly and fully,” he said, adding that “thugs” would not be allowed to destabilise the nation.
Addressing politicians allegedly sponsoring the unrest, Ruto declared, “Call me names, insult me all you want, but there will be peace in Kenya. Enough is enough.”
The President’s remarks mark a turning point in the government’s stance on the nationwide protests, signaling a hardline approach to curbing what he termed as lawlessness masked as political dissent.
