The anti government protests that rocked parts of Mount Kenya on Wednesday have given President William Ruto a reality check on the state of affairs in the country.
While previous protests have largely taken place in Nairobi and parts of Nyanza, Mt Kenya was the last place that the government expected to witness chaos.
Wednesday was the first time since the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) came to power that people from Mt Kenya came out in large numbers to show their dissatisfaction with the government.
Ruto won the elections last year largely because of the support he got from Mt Kenya. This is after they dumped retired President Uhuru Kenyatta due to their dissatisfaction with the economy.
Ruto, who appears to have been caught unawares was forced to an impromptu visit to the region in order to calm down tempers.
According to him, the anti government wave in the region is being sponsored by retired president Uhuru Kenyatta who is using the Mungiki.
Yesterday, Ruto issued a direct warning to former President Uhuru, expressing concerns over his alleged ongoing association with opposition leader Raila Odinga.
During a speech in Nakuru County’s Mai Mahiu town on Friday, President Ruto claimed that Uhuru has been covertly financing Odinga’s recent anti-government protests, which have resulted in several fatalities.
In light of Odinga’s planned demonstrations scheduled for three days next week, the Head of State cautioned him, asserting that the government would respond decisively if further violence ensued.
President Ruto emphasized that while peaceful protests are protected by the Constitution, any bloodshed during such events would prompt the full force of the country’s security apparatus and legal system to be unleashed upon Odinga.
Furthermore, Ruto pledged to confront Odinga politically and ensure his definitive retirement to his home in Bondo.
Additionally, Ruto stated that if former President Kenyatta failed to cease funding Odinga’s protests, he, too, would face the government’s actions and subsequently retire.
“I want to tell my friend Uhuru, even you should sever ties with this elder (Odinga), stop giving him money to hire Mungiki members to cause chaos in Nairobi. You were once the president, be noble. We supported you when you were our president, you supported a man of riddles, and we brought him down. Leave him,” Ruto expressed.
“If you don’t distance yourself from him, we will transport both of you together. We helped Uhuru Kenyatta when he was the President, and now he plans to burn Nairobi. What has gone wrong with him?”
Ruto reiterated his stance that the leader of the Azimio la Umoja One Kenya movement was responsible for the failures of the previous government, led by Uhuru, in fulfilling its promises. Consequently, Ruto vowed to prevent Odinga from having any involvement with the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“He destroyed our Big Four agenda, led us into the BBI trap, and drove us into debt. Now we have a debt of 9 trillion. And now he comes, claiming to bring us unity and suggesting we include him in the government. That is wishful thinking; it is impossible,” the President added.
Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro too has warned that they will not allow any more demonstrations in Mt Kenya.
Ndindi said the demos are heavily financed and choreographed by some forces who want to destabilize the government.
He dared Raila to bring the demos in the region saying the leaders and the locals will be out and ready to protect their businesses and property.
“We are not going to allow anything that will destroy the livelihood of the people of Mt Kenya region. We are not going to allow them to bring the violence they are causing in their areas into this region,” said Nyoro.
He said the ‘anarchy’ perpetrated by the leaders on Wednesday will be the last kind of violence that should be witnessed in any part of the country.
The MP said no amount of pressure will make the Kenya Kwanza hold talks on coalition government and Raila should forget ascending to power through the back door.
“I want to speak forthright and candidly today whatever thing that you are unleashing whatever strategy that you have will fail,” added Nyoro.
