Ruto: No Kenyan Should Lose Life, Liberty or Dignity for Criticising Govt
The President said the Constitution provides a clear foundation for protecting citizens' rights while requiring the State to maintain constitutional order.
NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto reiterated on Thursday that Kenyans possess the constitutional right to criticize the government, voice unpopular opinions, and engage in peaceful demonstrations without facing loss of life, liberty, or dignity. During the 16th Katiba Day Symposium at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre, the President emphasized that peaceful protest, dissent, and criticism are vital for a functioning democracy.
Ruto stated that no Kenyan should suffer these consequences merely for exercising their constitutional freedoms.
He highlighted the 2024 Gen Z-led protests, affirming that young Kenyans and other citizens who took to the streets were exercising their constitutional rights to express themselves, assemble, demonstrate, picket, and petition public authorities. The President affirmed that these demands for accountability, better governance, and meaningful participation in the country's future should not be seen as an attack on democracy, as the protesters simply wished to be heard.
President Ruto referred to Article 37 of the Constitution, which safeguards the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities peaceably and unarmed. He acknowledged the distress caused by the protests, noting that some families lost loved ones and allegations of unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances, and excessive use of lethal force emerged.
He reiterated that thorough and transparent investigations of any credible allegations of human rights violations are necessary, and those responsible should face accountability under the law.
While stressing that the right to peaceful protest does not permit tolerating criminal acts during demonstrations, Ruto stressed the importance of maintaining public order and ensuring that violence, property destruction, and other criminal conduct are addressed according to the law. He argued that the Constitution should be assessed based on how effectively its principles and rights are realized by ordinary Kenyans rather than merely by how frequently public institutions invoke it.
The President concluded by emphasizing that the Constitution restrains State power, establishes checks and balances, and protects fundamental freedoms, while also providing mechanisms for managing public authority.
Written by urgent.news from Capital FM Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
