Kenyans protest: Ruto promises action against "rogue" cops and apologises for the "arrogance" of legislators.

James Coleman | 5th July, 2024.

On Friday, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed regret to the public for the "arrogance and show of opulence" displayed by governing party lawmakers and ministers. He also pledged to take action against the "rogue" police officers who opened fire on unarmed civilians during the protests against tax hikes.

In response to the haughty remarks made by the officials, Ruto indicated that public speaking was "difficult" and that certain people made "mistakes" for which he would accept responsibility. He also promised that the authorities' behaviour would change.

Kenya experienced a fortnight of violence and unrest during the protests over the finance bill. Protestors even stormed the Parliament during the vote on the bill.

President Ruto was hosted Friday on the microblogging site X by social media influencer Osama Otero, who said he was abducted on the night of the protests and beaten by the cops.

Ruto said that he was regretful of the abduction and that he would take action, adding that it was "not right". “You don't deserve the kind of treatment you went through,” he added.

Noting that the police are independent entities who are not controlled by any executive branch of the government, Ruto promised to ensure prosecution of those responsible.

"As president, I bear the ultimate responsibility, which is why I expressed regret," Ruto stated.

When protestors stormed into the Parliament during a finance bill vote -- which if approved, would have led to an increase in tax -- legislators fled the premises through an underground tunnel.

Police responded to the storming by opening fire leading to several agitators being shot dead.

Later, Ruto said that he would not sign the finance bill and told the Parliament that the proposed legislation should be withdrawn. However, protests continued to rage on with demands for Ruto's resignation over poor governance.

Ridden with corruption, Kenya's latest such case has been that sale and distribution of thousands of fake fertiliser bags worth millions of shillings by the agriculture ministry.

On Friday, the President was accused of not showing empathy and not mentioning the names of those who died during the protests. Responding to the accusations, Ruto said, "people are born differently".

Ruto was accused of not acknowledging the correct number of those who died in the protests. He stated the number to be 25 while the Kenya National Commission for Human Rights said that 39 persons were killed.

Before his interaction on X, Ruto -- in a televised address -- announced specific stern measures that included the dissolution of "47 state corporations with overlapping and duplicative functions" to save on operation and maintenance costs.

Additionally, the appointment of fifty chief administrative secretaries was "suspended" by the Kenyan president when their posts were legally challenged as unlawful.
Ruto further declared that no public funds will be used to support the prime minister's office, the first lady's office, or the spouses of the deputy prime minister and cabinet secretary.
A restructuring that President Ruto stated was "coming soon" was demanded by the youth speakers during Friday's engagement. These speakers emphasized the necessity for the president to remove inept cabinet ministers.