Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has condemned the violent protests witnessed in the country during Tuesday's anti-government protests.
In a statement to newsrooms on Tuesday, July 2, CS Kindiki noted that despite the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024 which had attracted criticism and rejection from Kenyans, a section of criminals had hijacked the peaceful protests to cause harm to the public.
"On Tuesday 25th June 2024, an unprecedented civil unrest occurred in Nairobi and several other towns in Kenya as a result of which lives were lost, property worth billions of shillings destroyed or looted, and an attempt was made to burn down Parliament Buildings.
"Notwithstanding the termination of the Bill, hordes of marauding criminal gangs continue to pose grave danger to the public, riding on announced plans for peaceful protests to disturb public order, commit arson, obstruct public transport and terrorise the people of Kenya with violence," remarked Kithure.
The Interior CS said that similar chaos was being planned for this week on Thursday and Sunday but warned that the reign of terror against the people of Kenya must end at whatever cost.
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"The organisers of today’s orgy of violence in parts of Nairobi, Mombasa and several other parts of the Country are reportedly planning to repeat their anarchic chaos and cruel plunder again on thursday and sunday this week, and perhaps much more frequently in the future. The Government is determined to stop criminals aiming to terrorise the public and harm Kenya, notwithstanding attempts to politicise crime," CS Kindiki stated.
The nationwide anti-government protests resumed despite President William Ruto withdrawing the controversial Finance Bill 2024 and expressing his willingness to engage with the young generation.
However, Tuesday's protests were chaotic and violent as compared to the previous protests by Gen Z and millennials who were advocating for the withdrawal of the bill.
The initial protests were peaceful with the majority of protestors carrying their phones and placards urging the president to reject the Finance Bill which he agreed to withdraw.
