Kindiki Tells Off Ruto's Critics, Says Govt Doesn't Care About Losing Popularity: “We Don’t Mind”
- Deputy President Kithure Kindiki defended the state’s hardline stance on Gen Z protests, saying order must come before popularity
- He warned that Kenya Kwanza would rather lose political support than surrender the country to “anarchists”
- Kindiki blamed a handful of politicians, diplomats, and clergy for inciting chaos and misleading young protestors
- Admitting that some police officers abused their power, he urged Kenyans not to condemn the entire service for isolated actions
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has hit back at criticism over the government's handling of recent Gen Z-led protests.
Source: Twitter
Kindiki declared that President William Ruto’s administration is ready to lose political support if that’s what it takes to maintain law and order.
Why is Kenya Kwanza ready to lose popularity?
During a youth empowerment event, Kindiki defended the government’s approach, arguing that no country can survive if it surrenders to lawlessness under the guise of democratic expression.
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Raila Odinga rebukes CS Murkomen for issuing shoot-to-kill orders to police: "Shame on you"
"We don’t mind if protecting Kenya affects our popularity, but we cannot back down and leave this country to anarchists and those who do not believe in resolving national issues peacefully," Kindiki declared.
The DP's remarks come following Gen Z-led June 25 protests that swept across the country in memory of youths killed during the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests.
While many Kenyans, especially the youth, have framed the protests as a constitutional right, the government has pushed back, claiming that the demonstrations are being exploited to stir unrest.
Kindiki warned that even the countries now criticising Kenya’s crackdown on protestors are themselves uncompromising when it comes to national security.
"Even in the countries criticising us, they are extremely firm when it comes to matters of national security. There is no debate, they say, yes, you have freedom of expression, but peace must be maintained," Kindiki underscored.
Kindiki warns those fuelling chaos
He further alleged that a small circle of political figures, foreign diplomats, and religious leaders are fuelling chaos, manipulating young people into violence.
"Many citizens are innocent but have been caught up in all this because of incitement by just two or three people, politicians, foreign ambassadors, and a handful of church leaders. You know, it’s simple. You either have a country governed by the rule of law, or you don’t have a country at all and you surrender it to goons, gangs, and criminals," he claimed.
Kindiki, who has increasingly become the face of the government’s efforts to suppress dissent, also weighed in on the conduct of police officers.
Acknowledging that some officers had abused their power, he cautioned against painting the entire police service with the same brush.
"Let’s also accept that police officers can make mistakes. Those who have done wrong, some have already been prosecuted because they misused the powers given to them by law, causing harm and tragedy. But the actions of two or three officers cannot be used to condemn the entire police service in Kenya," Kindiki warned.
He expressed concern over a trend where officers are now hesitant to enforce the law out of fear of backlash.
Raila tells off govt over order to kill
In other news, ODM leader Raila Odinga publicly denounced Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen over what was widely interpreted as a “shoot-to-kill” directive to police.
Speaking at ACK St Peter’s Parish in Bondo on June 29, Raila said police are not licensed to kill and must arrest suspects rather than shoot them.
He called Murkomen’s alleged directive “shameful,” stressing that it violated the constitution and undermined human life .
Murkomen later denied issuing such orders, claiming his comments were legal interpretations, not authorisations to kill .
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported around 19 deaths and over 500 injuries during the unrest.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
