Ruto: Kenya protests hijacked by criminals — we’ll respond fully

Kenyan President William Ruto has described the escalating protests gripping the East African country as “treasonable”. 

A controversial finance bill has sparked youth-led nationwide protests since last week. 

Demonstrations took a dramatic turn on Tuesday when protesters forced their way into parliament by breaking the fence. Once inside, they tore up flags, upturned chairs and tables, seized the ceremonial mace, and set a section of the assembly ablaze.

Lawmakers who were at the parliament building had to escape through an underground tunnel.

Protesters would go on to loot shops and clubs linked to MPs.

Police fired live rounds and lobbed tear gas at demonstrators in Nairobi in a bid to quell the uprising.

Kenyan police were also seen beating and later arresting some paramedics who were helping injured protesters.

During a nationwide address after parliament was invaded, Ruto said Tuesday’s turn of events was a grave threat to “national security” and that the conversation around the bill had been “hijacked by dangerous people”.

“It is not in order, or even conceivable, that criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can rain terror against the people, their elected representatives, and the institutions established under our constitution and expect to go scot-free,” the president said.

Ruto said democratic expression and crime must be isolated and vowed that the state would respond fully to the situation, reiterating his commitment to protect citizens.

Shortly after his speech, Aden Duale, cabinet secretary for defence and chairperson of the defence council, said the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) has been deployed to “support” the police on the streets.