President William Ruto has reiterated his view that the recent anti-government protests were fueled by misinformation and fake news, which incited young people to take to the streets.
In an interview with CNN‘s Christiane Amanpour, he explained that the unrest might have been avoided if the government had better informed the public about its policies and revenue-raising strategies.
Ruto emphasized that his administration is focused on preventing an economic crisis by managing debt levels while increasing revenue to maintain government services.
He expressed confidence in the stability of the country, attributing this to effective fiscal policies that have been implemented.
“Much of what you saw was driven by misinformation and fake news, alongside other protest dynamics. We are committed to improving public understanding of our strategies moving forward,” he stated.
He also highlighted that collaboration with the international community is underway to secure concessional funding, noting that inflation has decreased from 9% to 4.3%, and the exchange rate is stabilizing.
The president claimed that criminal gangs exploited the protests to incite violence and vandalism, necessitating police intervention to restore order.
While law enforcement faced criticism from human rights organizations for their actions during the protests, Ruto defended their measures as essential to preventing further chaos.
“Kenya is a strong democracy where protests are a legitimate form of expression. However, law enforcement also has the duty to maintain public order,” he remarked.
He added that the violence in Nairobi involved criminal elements who set fire to government buildings and private property, which required a robust response from security forces.
Human rights groups have condemned the police’s conduct during the protests, labeling it chaotic and uncoordinated.
They reported 61 fatalities, a number disputed by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, who claimed that 42 deaths occurred in connection with the protests.
“The government has nothing to hide.
We acknowledge the loss of life and are committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding these deaths, ensuring justice is served if culpability is found,” he stated.
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