Ruto Warns Against ‘Unconstitutional Overthrow’ as Kenya’s Protest Death Toll Rises
Kenya’s President William Ruto has issued a stern warning against what he describes as orchestrated efforts to destabilize his government, accusing protest organizers of plotting an “unconstitutional overthrow” of the state.
In a fiery address in Nairobi on Wednesday, Ruto claimed that recent waves of demonstrations — which have gripped the country since June 2024 — are no longer organic movements but “sponsored” attempts to incite national chaos.
“They want to spark chaos, organize protests, destroy property, and cause disaster — all with the aim of overthrowing the government before 2027,” Ruto declared in Swahili to a cheering crowd.
The remarks follow a deadly week in Kenya, where at least 31 people were reportedly killed during nationwide anti-government protests, according to local and international human rights groups.
The protests, initially led by youth disillusioned with rising taxes, corruption, and police brutality, have morphed into a wider movement questioning the legitimacy of Ruto’s leadership.
Rights watchdogs, including Kenya Human Rights Commission and Amnesty International, have decried excessive police force, including the use of live ammunition on demonstrators, and warned of increasing reports of state-sanctioned violence.
Ruto, however, dismissed allegations of brutality, framing the unrest as a deliberate political strategy by unnamed opponents to destabilize his administration ahead of the next elections.
Meanwhile, opposition voices in Kenya continue to call for government accountability and restraint, warning that the administration’s rhetoric risks inflaming an already volatile situation.
