NAIROBI, Kenya — President William Ruto has warned against any form of violence, destruction of property, or disruption of essential services ahead of next week’s anniversary of the June 25 anti-government protests, urging Kenyans to uphold order while exercising their democratic rights.
Speaking on Friday during the National Productivity and Performance Conference at State House, Nairobi, the President said Kenya must balance constitutional freedoms with the need to protect national stability and economic activity.
“We are a country that believes viciously in order, we are a civilised nation, we are an organised society, we believe in the rule of law,” Ruto said.
He emphasised that while the government fully recognises the right to peaceful protest, such freedoms must not be exercised in a manner that undermines public safety or disrupts livelihoods.
“It is right for every citizen who has an issue to petition or to protest and we must protect their right to do so,” he said.
However, he warned against any attempts to mobilise unrest or damage property.
“The one thing that is not going to happen is that people will be mobilised to destroy property or to cause chaos or mayhem. That will not happen,” the President said.
Ruto stressed that national productivity depends on the uninterrupted functioning of key sectors, including education, agriculture, and business operations.
“We must also protect the right of our children to go to school and learn and our farmers to go to the farm and produce food so that we do not sleep hungry,” he said.
“We must protect every worker to go to work so that we can raise the productivity of our nation,” he added.
The President also used the platform to call for a renewed national focus on development and performance, arguing that Kenya must reject inefficiency and fully utilise its economic potential.
“For far too long we have made peace with mediocrity at the expense of our nation,” he said, questioning Kenya’s economic trajectory compared to global peers.
The remarks come amid growing political sensitivity ahead of the June 25 anniversary of anti-government demonstrations that have taken place in recent years, with authorities anticipating possible protests in Nairobi and other major towns.
Security agencies are reportedly on alert over potential disruptions linked to the commemorations, which are expected to draw political activists, civil society groups, and families of victims of past demonstrations.
Separately, the United States Embassy in Nairobi has issued a security advisory to its citizens, warning of possible demonstrations across the country around the anniversary period.
The embassy cautioned that protests could lead to traffic disruptions, congestion, and roadblocks in parts of Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and other urban centres.
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It advised American citizens to avoid large gatherings, monitor local media, and remain vigilant as the situation develops.
The embassy noted that demonstrations may occur at any time, but the likelihood is expected to be higher around June 25.
The planned commemorations have reignited public debate over the balance between the right to protest and the need to maintain economic stability, with organisers insisting the events will remain peaceful while authorities warn against potential unrest.
As Kenya approaches the anniversary date, both government and security actors appear to be preparing for a politically charged week marked by heightened vigilance and competing narratives over the legacy of last year’s protests.
