•He said his responsibility is to make sure they have secured jobs and their rights protected just as others are also doing.
•President Ruto said that the Azimio la Umoja leaders were taking advantage by sending other people's children to the streets to protest.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto has made a commitment to protect Kenyan children from being misused by a section of leaders to engage in violent protests in the country.
In apparent response to remarks made by Former President Uhuru Kenyatta who vowed to protect his family, Ruto said it is his responsibility to ensure other Kenyan children are well taken care of.
The remarks by Uhuru on Friday came after police raided his son, Jomo Kenyatta, home in Karen, apparently, to conduct a search for weapons.
"I defended Kenya and I did my best for this country. You may have different opinions but according to me. I did the best I could do for my country and I handed over when my time was finished. I will now do my best to defend my family and I won't be intimidated," Uhuru said.
He said his silence did not equate to cowardice, adding that if his family's safety was threatened he was going to defend them.
"As you know I have been quiet. But being quiet does not mean I will not defend my family. I will defend my family and I will defend it to the end," he said.
But Ruto on Saturday, without mentioning names, appeared to blast the former President and the opposition saying they have safeguarded the future of their children but misused those of poor Kenyans by deploying them in protests.
"Watoto wenu hawako kwa Maandamano, wazazi wenu hawako kwa Maandamano, Familia zenu haziko kwa Maandamano. Pesa zenu tuu ndo ziko kwa Maandamano," Ruto said, barely a week after he accused Uhuru of funding Azimio protests.
Loosely translates to: "Your children are not taking part in demos, your parents are not in it, your families are not in the protests. Only your monies are involved in protests".
"Sasa nyinyi mnatumia pesa kulipa watoto wa wengine. Watoto wenu kwa sababu mnawapenda, mnawatuma Bunge, wengine ulaya alafu watoto wa wakenya wengine mnawachukua mnawabebesha mawe wanaharibu Kenya alafu mnadhani mtapata faida ya Kisiasa,"he added.
Loosely translates to; "They are using money to pay other peoples' children to protest yet your own are sent to parliament, some are abroad while others have jobs. You then take other Kenyan children to the streets to carry stones and weapons so that they fight the police, and destroy property for you to earn political benefits".
ODM leader Raila Odinga's daughter Winnie Odinga and Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka's son Kennedy Muysoka are members of the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
"The same way you are looking after your families and making sure they are protected, have jobs, are Members of Parliament, is the same way I have the responsibility of taking care of the children of the rest of Kenyans," Ruto said.
The President was speaking in South Mugiragango, Kisii County where he had attended a women empowerment event.