Aasai

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has issued a scathing condemnation of the violent protests that rocked various parts of Kenya on Wednesday, June 25. Speaking during a public address in Kambu, Kibwezi East Constituency, Kindiki described the protests as the worst day of public disorder in the country since the 2007/08 post-election crisis, labelling the events as “shameful” and a mark of growing anarchy.

“What we witnessed yesterday,” Kindiki stated, “was the most violent and anarchist day in our country since 2007/08. It was unprecedented and deeply troubling.”

The Deputy President pointed to the tragic loss of lives, widespread destruction of both public infrastructure and private property, as well as rampant looting, as proof that the demonstrations had gone beyond peaceful protest into coordinated chaos. According to Kindiki, the events marked a turning point that demands urgent national reflection and decisive government action.

While acknowledging the constitutional right to protest, Kindiki blamed certain religious figures and foreign diplomats for what he termed the “escalation and encouragement of lawlessness.” He accused some churches and religious leaders of misleading the youth into taking to the streets without adequate understanding of the consequences.

“Yes, some religious leaders urged restraint and responsibility, and we thank them,” he said. “But others actively incited the youth, telling them to express their rights ‘however they wished’. I ask these leaders — was the bloodshed and destruction what you meant by freedom?”

Kindiki did not spare foreign diplomats either in her speech. He accused unnamed envoys of making public statements that, according to him, emboldened young people to challenge state authority under the pretext of exercising their democratic freedoms.

“There are envoys who told our young people that no one could stop them. Well, are they proud of the result now? Is this the democracy they wished to promote — one that leads to looting, arson, and fear?”

The Deputy President, delivering a message from President William Ruto, assured the nation that the government remains committed to defending constitutional freedoms. However, he stressed that freedom must be exercised with responsibility and within the boundaries of the law.

“We are not going to interfere with anyone’s freedom of expression, opinion, or assembly,” Kindiki said. “But what we saw was not the exercise of freedom — it was criminality. The government will not stand by as Kenya is pushed into lawlessness.”

He further revealed that multiple police stations were torched  down yesterday and that firearms and ammunition were looted during the unrest of Gen z protest. This, he said, was evidence that the protests were hijacked by organized elements with potentially dangerous motives.

“The theft of firearms and attacks on police stations shows this wasn’t ordinary protest. There were actors with darker intentions — to destabilize the country, perhaps even worse. Never again will we allow Kenya to be taken down this path,” Kindiki asserted.

He concluded by reaffirming the government’s position: that while peaceful protests are a right, any attempts to exploit them for violence or insurrection will be met with firm and lawful resistance.