President William Ruto now says that the deadly protests experienced across the country have not only hurt the country’s reputation locally but also internationally.
Speaking after commissioning the Tirwane-Tirone Irrigation Project, Elgeiyo Marakwet, Ruto said that the protests have also sent away investors he has sought to invest in the country to create jobs.
He called for caution, urging parents to take responsibility and talk to their children.
He said Kenya can only move forward if we have a peaceful country.
“We say we want peace. It’s the only way we can move forward as a country because this chaos is damaging Kenya's reputation worldwide. These chaotic people are even sending away the investors I have gone to find because they do not know where this war is leading," Ruto said.
“We must be careful, and we must all unite as parents to talk to our children. These are our youth, they are our children, and it is necessary that as parents we take our responsibility to mentor them and educate them so that Kenya can move forward."
The President reiterated the government’s stance that all who cause chaos in the country will face the law.
He insisted that there is no way the state can allow lawlessness.
He slammed the opposition for bringing hatred and tribalism when lives are getting lost, property and businesses destroyed during the demos.
Ruto insisted that this has to stop by all means.
“All those who want to cause chaos in Kenya, we will punish them. It is impossible that people go and destroy other people's property, burn people's businesses, deaths occur and then they bring us petty politics, hatred and tribalism, and I have said that this has to stop in Kenya.”
From the Saba Saba Day protests, at least 31 people were killed, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
Police, however, put the figure at only 11 deaths.
The protests saw various businesses looted and homes robbed across various parts of the country.
Police engaged the protesters in running battles.
