Ruto calls on Kenyans to respect the law, condemns chaos during demos
By Faith Lagat, July 10, 2025President William Ruto has strongly condemned the rising cases of violence during demonstrations, warning that protests must never be used as a cover for criminal acts.
Speaking at the State House on July 10, 2025, during a meeting with players and officials of Nairobi United FC, Ruto emphasised the constitutional limits of protests and reaffirmed his duty to uphold law and order, referring to the recent June 25 and Sabasaba demonstrations.
Ruto, who referred to himself as “the custodian of the constitution”, said he will ensure that the law is upheld throughout his tenure. “And for now, I am the custodian of the constitution, and I will make sure to defend the Kenyan Constitution until someone else is here.”
“The other day I saw some of the criminals try to break into Talanta, some of our stadium,” he said. “Surely, what does a stadium have to do with a demonstration? How do demos end in rape, destruction of property, and businesses?”
Ruto’s comments come amid ongoing protests in various parts of the country, some of which have been marred by violence, looting, and cases of sexual assault. He questioned the deviation of protests from their intended purpose of peaceful expression.
“The law says whoever wants to demonstrate must be peaceful and unarmed. That is the standard for any demos,” he stated. “We need to ask ourselves this—how do demos end in death, rape, destruction of property, and business? I dare say no.”
While the Kenyan Constitution under Article 37 guarantees the right to assemble and protest peacefully, Ruto warned that such rights must not be abused. He noted that the recent protests have been infiltrated by criminal elements whose actions hurt innocent Kenyans and derail meaningful discourse.
“We must all respect the law, irrespective of who we are or what we believe in,” the president added.
His remarks have added to the national conversation on how to balance civil liberties with the need for security and stability. The President called for a collective responsibility in maintaining peace and urged protest organisers to keep demonstrations within the law.
The government, he hinted, is exploring ways to strengthen security operations and engagement mechanisms to prevent violence while preserving citizens’ rights.
As the country grapples with socio-economic grievances fuelling the unrest, Ruto’s message to the nation was clear: protests must be peaceful, lawful, and free from manipulation by those seeking to destabilise the country under the guise of activism.