Ruto allies vow to push for law regulating riots

Allies of President William Ruto have accused the Independent Policing Oversight Authority (Ipoa) of unfairly targeting police officers, while accusing the opposition of fuelling violence during the Gen-Z protests.

Speaking in Likuyani during the launch of a women’s empowerment programme at Matunda Comprehensive School, Kanduyi MP John Makali, claimed Ipoa is targeting the police in its investigation instead of arresting those fuelling the Gen-Z protests.

“Our police officers face immense challenges in maintaining law and order daily. Yet, Ipoa seems to disproportionately focus on disciplining them instead of supporting their efforts,” he said.

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Makali and a section of the MPs also vowed to propose a law in the National Assembly that restricts public demonstrations to designated areas, which will effectively ban protests in towns and on main roads.

They argue that the motion is necessary to protect democratic freedoms.

“The right to peaceful protest is the cornerstone of our democracy. This motion, if enacted, will severely limit where Kenyans can exercise this right, pushing protests to remote areas and effectively silencing dissent in urban centres,” said Makali.

Makali said no law allows people to destroy property.

“It is very unfair for people to lose property and even some lose their lives due to protests,” he said.

MP Didmus Barasa echoed the same sentiments, saying that those who were destroying property were sent by people who were jealous and selfish and needed to be arrested and charged.

“People’s children have lost jobs because businesses were torched. How do you influence a young man to do such evil? Those fuelling the protests should be arrested and jailed. People invest so much in their businesses, and they should be protected,” said Barasa.

Barasa said that it’s very sad that someone who doesn’t know how to wear a suit is allowed to use the young generation badly to cause mayhem.

President William Ruto’s aide, Farouk Kibet, urged Kenyans to avoid politicians who are out to champion violence and tribalism.

“As a country, we are united as one, but we have some tribalist leaders who always preach hatred by inciting Kenyans. I urge Kenyans not to fall into such traps and instead support the government for development,” said Farouk.

Mugirango South MP Sylvanus Osoro accused the opposition of planning coup attempt by financing goons during the Gen-Z protests.

“It is the right of any Kenyan to picket, but it must be conducted in an orderly and peaceful manner. What we saw recently was an attempt by aggrieved individuals to try to slide our country into anarchy, and those behind the heinous act should be prosecuted,” said Osoro.

Likuyani MP Innocent Mugabe accused the opposition of tribalism, urging the Western region to support President Ruto for the fair distribution of resources to all regions across the country.

“Western region has been marginalised for long in terms of development, but it is during Ruto’s regime that we have seen development, and we are behind the broad-based government,” said Mugabe.