You owe Kenyans an apology, Ruto tells Azimio

President William Ruto has told the Azimio leaders they owe Kenyans an apology over recent protests that led to deaths and injuries.

While speaking on Friday during the opening of the Kichwa Cha Kati Fish Market in Malindi, Ruto said the opposition should be ashamed of the damage caused during demonstrations.

"It is dishonest for the opposition to pretend to be concerned about the well-being of the people yet they led demonstrations that led to loss of lives and destruction of property. They should be ashamed of themselves," he said.

Ruto assured Kenyans that violence will be ejected from the politics of the country.

He said the government will take stringent measures to protect the lives and property of Kenyans. "The time for elections is over, it is time to serve the people," he said.

"The Constitution gives us sufficient latitude to engage security agencies to protect everybody’s rights."

Ruto said it would be a betrayal of the people for the political class to prioritise the selfish interests of leaders.

Ruto made the remarks on a day when the Azimio coalition held an Interdenominational requiem mass honoring the lives of the victims of alleged police brutality.

Azimio leader Raila Odinga had called on his supporters for a demonstration on Wednesday but later called it off and held a vigil for victims of protests.

Ruto is in the coastal region to launch a series of development projects.

He led the issuance of cheques to the area’s fishing community in Kilifi County.

The President said the government has scaled up investment in the Blue Economy to unlock untapped potential at the Coast.

Leaders present were Cabinet Secretaries Aisha Jumwa, Salim Mvurya, Kindiki Kithure, Soipan Tuya, Speaker of the Senate Amason Kingi, Governors Gideon Mung'aro (Kilifi), Fatuma Achani (Kwale) and MPs led by Majority Leader Kimani Ichungw’ah.