President William Ruto has remained steadfast in his belief that fake news and disinformation inspired the nation’s youth to stage anti-government demonstrations. In an interview with Christiane Amanpour of CNN, the president clarified that if the administration had better educated the public about its policies and revenue-raising strategies, the protests would likely not have occurred.
He continued by stating that the nation is attempting to avert an economic crisis by controlling debt levels and raising taxes to ensure the functionality of government services. The president emphasized that his government is striving to strike a balance, claiming that the fiscal measures already in place are the reason for the nation’s current stability.
“The majority of the circumstances you observed were partially brought on by false information, fake news, and other factors related to the protests. We will provide further details on our future strategy,” he said.
In addressing the situation, he stated, “We are collaborating with the global community to secure concessional funding. Inflation has decreased from 9% to 4.3%. With our exchange rate now stable, we can advance without exerting undue pressure. Kenya is now stable, and as a democracy, we are moving forward in a predictable and orderly manner.”
The head of state also claimed that criminal gangs infiltrated the demonstrations to incite violence and damage property, which is why police had to intervene to restore order. While Human Rights Groups widely criticized law enforcement’s actions during the rallies, the president asserted that their efforts prevented the nation from spiraling into further crises.
“Just to clarify, Kenya is a strong democratic nation. A component of our democracy is protest. Our peace enforcement forces have a duty to restore peace and order, but individuals have the right to assemble and make their own decisions, which is absolutely acceptable,” he stated.
In addition to the protests, criminal groups set fire to the Chief Justice’s office, parliament, and private property in Nairobi. The president noted, “These similar incidents that occur globally had to be addressed by our security agencies.”
Human rights organizations have condemned the police brutality observed during the demonstrations, calling the participants’ behavior chaotic and unorganized. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki refuted claims of 61 deaths, stating that 42 people lost their lives as a result of the protests.
“The government has nothing to conceal, as I’ve stated. The death of a Kenyan cannot be hidden. Our focus is on determining how they died, and if anyone is responsible—even a security guard—we will ensure that justice is served,” Kindiki asserted.