Ruto Must Go? Only through legal means, President says
President William Ruto makes his remarks during the World Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Day celebrations at KICC, Nairobi, on June 27, 2025.
What you need to know:
- President asked Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to pursue those who caused mayhem.
- DP Kithure Kindiki warns politicians against politicising security matters.
- Kindiki told residents in Kitui that the government was ready to be unpopular if it meant not compromising on national security
President William Ruto has condemned Wednesday’s June 25 anniversary protests, terming it “anarchy dressed in freedom colours”, even as he would only leave office through constitutional and democratic means.
This, as his deputy Kithure Kindiki told residents in Kitui that the government was ready to be unpopular if it meant not compromising on national security, which he said was under serious threat in the Wednesday chaos that saw 16 people killed, 400 injured and millions worth of property damaged, including nine police stations and three courts.
Dr Ruto said those calling for his ouster in the protests were ignoring the constitution, which is clear on the serving terms of a president.
“If it is a question of terms, the Constitution already has sorted out and settled the issue of terms. Terms are limited, you can either be one term, and you can be two terms maximum. You cannot have more than that, so what is this craze about terms? The constitution has already provided for those terms, so let us look for solutions for our challenges. The solution cannot be found in terms, the solution can be found in strategy and a plan,” the President said.
The President seized the opportunity to address the 'wantam' (one term) mantra in the country — geared towards rallying Kenyans to vote him out in 2027 — stating that those sponsoring such hashtags do not offer Kenyans an alternative solution.
“If it is Ruto Must Go, tell me how you want me to go. Let’s be honest with ourselves. What do you mean by Ruto Must Go? How do I go? Because we have a constitution in place, dear people, right? If you want Ruto to go, please, my simple advice to you, look for a better plan. Convince the people of Kenya that you have a better plan.”
He was speaking on Friday at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre where he led Kenyans in celebrating World Medium and Small Enterprises Day 2025.
“If you can persuade us that you have a better plan than mine (and Kenyans vote for you based on it), I can also go and concentrate on farming and help in food security, if you have a better plan. But don’t burn a country for heaven’s sake, we do not have another country,” he said.
“Violence will not, anarchy will not (get you to power). If you want Ruto to go, please, do the honourable thing: Develop a better plan than the one I have.”
He said that the demonstrations that caused havoc in Nairobi and other areas were merely an act of anarchy that saw the livelihoods of hard-working Kenyans being shattered by deliberate acts of lawlessness.
“What we witnessed was not a peaceful protest. It was calculated chaos, it was violence, it was destruction and it was economic sabotage. Let’s call it what it is.”
While shifting focus to his political enemies, the President urged them to consider reaching out to voters with a better plan that would see them being elected to office, adding that some individuals were using protests to hold the country hostage.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki arrives in Kitui on June 27, 2025.
President Ruto also asked to lead the country in the right direction, and not to support activities and movements that can lead the country to violence.
While also sympathizing with the families that lost their loved ones and those who lost their businesses, the President asked the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to pursue those who caused mayhem.
“I expect the Inspector General of Police and all relevant police agencies to conduct immediate, thorough, and speedy investigations. The perpetrators of this violence, looting, and destruction must be identified, marked, and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law swiftly and effectively.”
He warned leaders of encouraging violence and destruction of business, stating that if such cases are left to continue, they will spread across the country and no one will be spared.
In Kitui, Prof Kindiki warned politicians against what he said was politicising security matters.
“This is not a laughing matter. We won’t allow any attempt to destroy the security and stability of Kenya. We are willing to become unpopular politically but save the security and future of Kenya. Those politicians making a mockery of this should know we won’t allow what happened on Wednesday to happen again. National security and stability are different from political theatrics and chest-thumping over political contests,” Prof Kindiki said.
"Attacks on police stations, stealing of guns and ammunition, and torching of government facilities amounts to terrorism and planners, financiers, and executors of lawlessness will be dealt with ruthlessly. No one has a right to orchestrate a coup against the government. We shall deal with you the way we deal with al-Shabaab.”