‘Economic sabotage!’ President Ruto condemns Wednesday protests, vows actions against violators

President William Ruto has for the first time addressed the June 25th anti-government protests, terming them as “economic sabotage” as he pledged decisive action against those found culpable.

The president who spoke during the International MSMEs Day celebrations on Friday strongly condemned the wave of violence and destruction witnessed during Gen Z protests, decrying the looting, loss of lives, and destruction of property that rocked several towns, saying the biggest victims were traders.

The Head of State noted that while the Constitution protects the right to peaceful protest, the events witnessed went far beyond the bounds of lawful expression.

“Even as we celebrate our MSMEs today, we must confront a painful reality. I want to express my deepest regret and condemnation for the loss of lives, looting, wanton destruction, and loss of valuable property belonging to our traders who were deliberately targeted by criminal elements during the protests this week,” President Ruto said.

“Let me be clear: the right to peaceful protest is protected by our Constitution. We respect and uphold that right. But what we witnessed was not peaceful protests. It was calculated chaos. It was destruction. It was economic sabotage; let’s call it what it is, that is what it was.”

While regretting the loss of lives, President Ruto painted a grim picture of the aftermath, reiterating the burning of businesses, destruction of market stalls, and the decimated livelihoods.

He challenged the public to reflect on the consequences of such chaos, terming the aftermath of the protests as "anarchy dressed in freedom colours."

“Shops were looted. Businesses, some built over decades, were burned to the ground. Market stalls destroyed. Warehouses ransacked. Investments worth billions of shillings were wiped out in hours. The livelihoods of hardworking Kenyans have been shattered by deliberate acts of lawlessness. It is anarchy dressed in freedom colours. This is disorder disguised as democracy,” he said.

“Is this the Kenya we want? Do we want to build by day, and destroy by night? Do we uphold the law, only to exploit its protections to sow chaos and cripple our economy? Is this what freedom means? Is it freedom to burn what others have built? Those elements doing this are not fighting for freedom; they are attacking freedom.”

President Ruto consequently directed security agencies to move with speed in identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators as he reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enforcing the rule of law by protecting lives and livelihoods.

“I expect the Inspector-General of Police and all relevant security agencies to conduct immediate, thorough, and speedy investigations. The perpetrators of this violence, looting, and destruction must be identified, unmasked, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, swiftly and decisively,” he said.