President William Ruto has issued a bold challenge to the leaders of the ongoing anti-government protests, urging them to step forward, reveal their identities, and present their ideas for the nation's future.
Speaking during a church service in Bomet County, President Ruto underscored his administration’s commitment to maintaining peace and order, and he strongly condemned the anonymity and alleged external sponsorship behind the protests.
The president's remarks come in the wake of a month-long wave of protests that have significantly disrupted the nation.
These protests, which began on June 18, 2024, have primarily been driven by the youth, who are demanding the withdrawal of the controversial Finance Bill 2024 and greater transparency and accountability from the government.
Additionally, they are calling for austerity measures that reflect the current economic challenges facing the country.
In his speech, President Ruto criticized the protest leaders for remaining faceless and formless, accusing them of using violence and chaos as tools to push their agenda.
He emphasized that his government will not allow the country’s democracy to be undermined by individuals who refuse to come forward and engage in constructive dialogue.
"We must never as a country agree to replace our democracy with a dictatorship and tyranny of faceless anonymous people who want to use violence, destruction of property, and loss of lives in place of our democracy," Ruto declared. He assured the public that his administration is determined to protect lives and properties from those propagating violence.
The president also suggested that the protests are being funded by external entities, specifically mentioning the Ford Foundation.
He challenged these alleged sponsors to come forward and explain their motives. In a statement made in Nakuru on July 15, Ruto said, "Nataka niulize watu wa Ford Foundation watuambie hio pesa wanatoa, wanatoa ifanye fujo ndio wapate faida gani?" which translates to, "I want to ask the people at Ford Foundation to tell us what benefit they get from funding chaos."
Following this accusation, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing'Oei sent a letter to the Ford Foundation, demanding a list of all beneficiaries of its grants from April 2023 to May 2024.
In response, the Ford Foundation denied any involvement in funding the protests and reiterated its commitment to non-partisanship and support for peaceful demonstrations.
"We repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual, or community," the foundation stated.
The ongoing protests have had a profound impact on the country, forcing the government to consider several austerity measures to address the youth's demands.
These measures are seen as necessary steps to align the government's spending with the economic realities facing the nation.
Despite these efforts, the protests show no signs of abating, with another major demonstration planned for July 23, under the banner "The Final Revolution: Fixing the Nation."
The protest movement, which has been largely youth-driven, reflects widespread frustration with the current state of the economy and governance.
The Finance Bill 2024, in particular, has been a flashpoint for discontent, as it is perceived to place undue financial burdens on the population.
The youth have called for the bill’s withdrawal and for the government to take more transparent and accountable steps in managing the country's finances.
President Ruto’s response to the protests has been firm. He has repeatedly emphasized that his administration will not tolerate violence and that it is committed to safeguarding the nation’s democracy.
"We are going to protect life and property. I want to challenge those orchestrating and funding this violence to step forward and give us their alternative views on how to take Kenya forward," he stated.
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