I'll not condone violence, Ruto warns protesters

President William Ruto speaks in Ainamoi, Kericho County, on July 19, 2023. [PCS]

President William Ruto has warned Azimio leaders that the government will not condone violent protests.

Speaking on the day the opposition coalition kicked off their three days of anti-government protests, Ruto assured Kenyans that his administration would protect all citizens.

Speaking in Kericho when commissioning a Sh1.2 billion Kimugu water project, the President said the election was over and Kenyans are waiting for development.

"You can't use extra-constitutional means to get power. You want to use violence to get into government; it won't happen," he said.

"That path that you (Azimio) are taking, I want to assure you that I am going to take you on and I will not allow it to happen."

Ruto asked the opposition to wait for 2027. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua asserted that Kenya is governed by the rule of law.

"Nobody is going to threaten anybody in this government."

He called on Azimio leaders to seek other avenues of addressing their grievances.

The President was accompanied by National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichungwa, Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, Kipkelion West MP Hillary Kosgei, Ainamoi MP Benjamin Langat and Kipkelion East MP Joseph Cherorot among others.

"Kenyans have demonstrated today they will not allow the opposition leaders to use the money they looted from the public to divide them along tribal and political lines. They just want peace," alleged Ichungwa.

Nyoro accused Azimio of employing tactics of "conmanship and violence and brinkmanship."

"Kenya is a country of the rule of law, and we will not allow anyone to shatter the peace and tranquility in the county as a shortcut to leadership,"

Kericho Governor Erick Mutai assured that they had taken necessary measures to maintain security at the Sondu market, which lies along the Kericho-Kisumu border, where ethnic violence erupted last week.

"There is no space and time for demonstrations in Kericho. Our focus is on development, and that's our singular resolve," he said.

Cherorot echoed the sentiment, asserting that Kericho remained a stronghold of President Ruto, and the opposition would not find a foothold there to incite disharmony among the various communities.

"Kenya Kwanza is a legitimate government. Ruto was given the mandate to lead the county in a democratic election. We will not be shaken," he said.

Senate Leader of Majority Aaron Cheruiyot called for the establishment of an immigration office in Kericho.

"Kericho and other residents face difficulty in obtaining passports from Kisumu's immigration office during times of unrest in the lakeside town," he said.

Additionally, Cheruiyot deemed the current fee of Sh5,000 for passport acquisition as too high.