President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to stop engaging in demonstrations that can lead to violence.
Speaking on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, during his tour of Embu County, President Ruto said Kenya is a country that believes in peace.
Ruto on protests
The Head of State said that the protests that cause destruction of property and loss of life will not be accepted.
“Sisi ni nchi ambayo tunaamini kwa amani. Hatutaki fujo katika taifa letu la Kenya. Hatutaki maandamano ambayo inaleta maafa, ambayo inaleta uharibifu wa mali, ambayo watu wanapoteza maisha yao,” Ruto stated.
Ruto on need for peace
President Ruto went ahead to urge residents of Embu to maintain peace, ahead of the anticipated nane nane protests that have been scheduled for Thursday, August 8, 2024.
“Tunataka amani. Watu wa Embu mnasema mnataka amani ama mnataka fujo iendelee? Mnataka amani? Hebu nione kwa mkono wale wanasema tunataka amani katika taifa letu la Kenya,” Ruto said.
Nane Nane protests
The protests dubbed Nane Nane March are being organized through social media by the youth who are outraged by President Ruto’s move to reappoint ten out of the 22 Cabinet Secretaries he had dismissed.
The youth also got angry after Ruto nominated four individuals from Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party, to his Cabinet.
Ruto’s Cabinet nomination
While announcing the second batch of his Cabinet on July 24, 2024, President Ruto nominated the then ODM chairman John Mbadi to steer the National Treasury, the then National Assembly Minority Leader Opiyo Wandayi to the ministry of Energy and Petroleum, and the two ODM Deputy Party Leaders, Wycliffe Oparanya and Hassan Joho to the ministries of Cooperatives and Mining, respectively.
The Head of State termed his decision as a move to come up with a broad-based government that includes everyone.
Ruto and opposition leader Raila Odinga have taken the position in what they have termed as working together to unite Kenyans and halt the anti-government protests.
However, this has not sat well with a section of the Kenyan youth, who are mobilizing for another protests, with posters flooding timelines on social media calling for the Nane Nane March.
Police on protests
The police in a statement issued by acting Inspector General of Police Gilbert Masengeli on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, called on protesters to be peaceful.
Masengeli also issued a stern warning to anyone violating the law, signaling for another round of running battles between the police and the protesters.
On social media platforms, the youth have been calling on each other to come out and be counted in the anticipated Nane Nane March.
