President William Ruto on Tuesday night described anti-Finance Bill protests as “treasonous” while ignoring Kenya police’s clampdown, killing and abductions of protesters.
“Today, Kenya experienced an unprecedented attack on its democracy, the rule of law and the integrity of its constitutional institutions,” Mr Ruto said, alleging that the protest was “hijacked” by “criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters.”
In a broadcast Tuesday night, Mr Ruto said he had “directed all organs of our national security to thwart any attempt by criminals to undermine the security and stability of Kenya,” describing the nationwide protests as “treasonous events.”
Today’s protest in Nairobi turned bloody as Kenyan police opened live rounds on demonstrators, killing 10 and injuring about 50.
However, Mr Ruto was quiet on the killings by Kenya police and earlier reports of secret abductions of protesters by Amnesty International as he addressed the country.
Rather, Mr Ruto “thank security officers who were on duty today for applying themselves to the best of their abilities in the defence of Kenya and its people.”
A few hours before Mr Ruto’s broadcast, Aden Bare Duale, Kenya’s cabinet secretary for defence and chairperson of the Defence Council, announced the military deployment to support the police in crushing protesters.
In vehement opposition to a controversial Finance Bill that imposes a tax on cars, phones, sanitary pads, bread, and other commodities, hundreds of angry youth broke into Kenya’s parliament, defying police clampdowns and attacks.
