In a recent roundtable discussion with Kenyan media, President William Ruto stood firm in his decision to deploy the military to quell the nationwide protests that have erupted over the past two weeks, resulting in the loss of at least 24 lives. Defending his actions, Ruto emphasized that he had no choice but to take such measures to maintain law and order in the country.
The protests initially sparked after demonstrators stormed the National Assembly following the approval of a controversial tax bill by lawmakers. President Ruto labeled this occurrence as treasonous and warned of deploying the military to prevent further violence. However, following public backlash, he retracted his support for the legislation.
Acknowledging the efforts of the Kenyan police in managing the protests, Ruto expressed his commitment to investigating instances of excessive use of force, including the firing of live ammunition by police forces. He assured that the military presence on the streets would serve as a last resort and emphasized his reluctance to lead the country astray.
"I don't want to be the leader that took the country in the wrong direction," President Ruto stated, highlighting his intentions to navigate the challenging situation while prioritizing the safety and well-being of the Kenyan people.