'We have no other country,' says Ruto as protests grip Kenya

President William Ruto has appealed for calm and orderly conduct as thousands of Kenyans took to the streets to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-tax demos. 

Speaking at the burial of Mzee Gideon Baya Mung’aro, the father of Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung’aro, Ruto called for calm despite the evident difference in opinions on the management of the country’s affairs. 

He condemned acts of violence, theft, and vandalism that have marred protests.

“I’d like to ask, even those with divergent opinions, even at this time of protests, that those demonstrations remain non-violent, devoid of vandalism and not styled to disrupt peace in the country,” he said.

“We have no country to turn to when things get out of hand here. This is our only country. It is our responsibility to maintain peace. Let’s ensure that all our acts are lawful,” he added.

Ruto was joined by ODM leader Raila Odinga, who echoed calls for peace while defending the constitutional right to protest. 

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However, Odinga proposed the potential introduction of legislation to regulate how demonstrations are conducted.

“We want to enact legislation that will ensure protests don’t turn problematic…We engage in violence, people get brutalised and killed. That is why protests continue to be a challenge in this country,” said Odinga. 

While Ruto focused his remarks on development initiatives by the Kenya Kwanza government in Kilifi, Odinga addressed the broader implications of the unrest, calling for a national reset and urging the government to compensate victims of past protests.

He also criticised politicians engaging in early campaigns for the 2027 elections, linking the premature politicking to rising political tensions.

“2027 is ahead of us, but we are still in 2025. We can’t campaign constantly for five years. That hinders development. We must have a moment of calm once elections are done.”

Mzee Mung’aro, a former senior chief, died on June 15 and was laid to rest today.