A day of anarchy in Nairobi, Kisumu as standoff between president Ruto, Raila sets in
President William Ruto has dismissed the daylong nationwide protests by the opposition that were marked by incidences of violent protests, destruction and running battles majorly in Nairobi and Kisumu as impunity and maintained a hardline stance saying he cannot reward impunity.
Instead, the president has insisted that the rule of law must be upheld in the governance of the country.
At the same time, the opposition led by coalition leader Raila Odinga declared return of Monday weekly protests dubbed teargas Monday to propagate anti-government protests to honour the fifteen points demand including lowering the cost of living and inclusive process in reforming the national electoral body.
The President warned that operating outside the law is equal to condoning impunity and could lead the country to a slippery route.
“Kenya is going to be a country governed by the rule of law ensuring that we observe what the constitution provides for us, ensuring that we protect the rights of everybody and as we enjoy our rights as individuals, we must be careful also to ensure that we don’t trample on the rights of others.” President Ruto said.
And on his part, while addressing protesters on top of his motorcade when he joined them in Nairobi’s Eastleigh area after being teargassed outside Serena Hotel, Raila said Monday’s mass action was just the beginning of what he called a fight for justice.
“Every Monday there will be protests, the fight has started and won’t end until Kenyans get their their right. This is just the beginning; we will continue until the price of flour comes down. (Kila jumatatau kutakuwa na mgomo. Kutakuwa na maandamano. Vita imeanza na haitaisha mpaka wakenya wapate haki yao. Hii ni kionjo, tutaendelea mpaka bei ya unga ishuke chini.)” Raila said amid cheers.
The Head of State spoke on Monday during the swearing in of Solicitor General Shadrack Mose.
“I will ensure as President that this country is governed by the rule of law and nothing extra-legal, nothing extra constitutional, nothing outside the law is going to be part of what we do as a nation.” Ruto added.
Ruto said he has confidence that Mose will provide the necessary legal guidance to the government in the discharge of its mandate.
“I have confidence that you have the requisite experience, understanding and knowledge to support and provide leadership in the office of the Attorney General,” he stated
The President assigned Mose with the responsibility to ensure prompt payment of all government claims processed though the legal system.
“We have so many court awards against the government of Kenya and some of it is because we didn’t have the requisite representation at various stages of what happened,” said Ruto
The President urged Mose to ensure that the two thirds gender rule is actualized to create an equal opportunity for women to participate leadership of the country.
Mose replaces Kennedy Ogeto who served under the leadership of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
Meanwhile, the six Azimio leaders arrested at the Kenyatta International Convention Center (KICC) among them Kilifi Senator Stewart Madzayo and Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi have finally been released after spending the day in police cells.
Wandayi said it’s unfortunate that the Kenya Kwanza government was using the police to settle political scores.
“We are seeing the country regressing in the dark old days of dictatorship, suppression of free, suppression of free thought and everything that you can think of,” he said.
He spoke upon their release from the Kiambu Police Station.
In Kisumu, protestors vandalised the president Ruto led United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party offices before setting the offices on fire alongside two motor vehicles parked at the same compound.
