On Sunday, June 30, 2024, President William Ruto addressed the nation regarding the deadly protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
Despite the tragic loss of 19
lives during the demonstrations, Ruto firmly asserted his blamelessness in the
matter.
He expressed deep regret over the fatalities, emphasizing that such violence should not occur in a democratic society.
President Ruto stated, “I have
no blood on my hands. Nineteen people, according to the record I have, are
dead. Very unfortunate, as a democracy that should not be part of our
conversation.”
Ruto also highlighted the
severe economic impact of the protests, revealing that the country had incurred
a substantial loss of Ksh2.4 billion due to the destruction caused.
Among the significant damages,
he mentioned that key government buildings, including the Office of the Chief
Justice, City Hall, and Parliament, were set on fire during the unrest.
He elaborated, “2.4 billion of property has been destroyed. Office of the CJ, City Hall, and Parliament have been burnt.”
The protests erupted in
response to the Finance Bill 2024, which has faced significant opposition from
various quarters of Kenyan society.
The demonstrations quickly
escalated, leading to violent clashes between protesters and security forces.
The resulting damage and loss
of life have sparked widespread concern and debate over the handling of the
situation by the government.
In his address, President Ruto called for calm and urged citizens to engage in peaceful and constructive dialogue moving forward, emphasizing the need to uphold democratic values and processes even in times of disagreement and dissent.
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