Kenya: President Ruto warns protests ‘risk destroying country’

The anti-government protests that have rocked Kenya for more than a month “risk destroying the country,” the president said. William Rutopromising “promise that this will stop”. quit of Draft BudgetHundreds of protesters continue to gather across the country, demanding the president’s resignation. New protests are planned for next week.

read: Five questions to understand anti-Ruto discontent in Kenya

“We will protect Fight, We will protect the property, we will stop the looters, we will stop the killers, we will stop the chaos, we will stop the anarchy because Kenya is a democracy and we want a peaceful country, stable. Our problems are solved through democratic means,” William Ruto insisted. Facing the worst crisis since being elected in 2022, he also claimed to have responded Demonstrator, In particular, the draft budget was withdrawn and a national dialogue was proposed.

On July 18, the court ordered on Thursday to suspend the ban on demonstrations in the center of the capital Nairobi the day before By the police. On the 21st, the Leader of the Opposition Raila Odinga Declared that “justice must be done before any discussion”, especially compensation for victims in advance “Violence police”.

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The government was surprised by the mobilization carried out by representatives of various political parties outside any political framework. Generation Z (Born after 1997). July 11, response this Protest, head of state Disbanded almost the entire governmentOn July 19, he announced a provisional list of 11 ministers, four of whom resumed their original posts. Understood those of the Ministries of Interior and Defense.

The proposed budget has stirred up latent resentment against President Ruto, who was elected in August 2022 on a promise to defend the humblest of people. Il A Increase the tax burden Regarding population. Kenya’s public debt is about 10 trillion shillings (71 billion euros), or about 70%. of gross domestic product.

(AFP report)