{
  "id": 3885011,
  "title": "Kenya: Ruto - No Kenyan Should Lose Life, Liberty or Dignity for Criticising Govt",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/kenya-ruto-no-kenyan-should-lose-life-liberty-or-dignity-for",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T04:13:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "AllAfrica",
    "slug": "allafrica",
    "url": "https://allafrica.com/stories/202608280041.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Nairobi — President William Ruto emphasized on Thursday that no Kenyan should lose their life, liberty or dignity for exercising their constitutional rights, including the freedom to criticize the government, express unpopular views and peacefully demonstrate. Speaking at the 16th Katiba Day Symposium, Ruto underscored that peaceful protest, criticism and dissent are fundamental to a democratic society.\n\nThe President highlighted the role of young Kenyans and other citizens who participated in the 2024 Gen Z-led protests, stating that their demands for accountability and better governance should be viewed as expressions of constitutional freedoms, not as attacks on democracy. Ruto cited Article 37 of the Constitution, which grants the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities in a peaceful and unarmed manner.\n\nWhile acknowledging the pain caused by the protests, including allegations of unlawful arrests, enforced disappearances and excessive use of lethal force, Ruto stressed the importance of investigating credible allegations of human rights violations independently, thoroughly and transparently, with those responsible held accountable under the law. He emphasized that protecting the right to peaceful protest does not imply tolerating criminal acts during demonstrations.\n\nRuto urged the State to maintain public order and ensure that violence, destruction of property and other criminal conduct are dealt with according to the law. He argued that the Constitution should be judged by its impact on ordinary Kenyans, its ability to restrain State power, establish checks and balances, and protect fundamental freedoms, as well as provide mechanisms for managing public authority.",
  "summary": "[Capital FM] Nairobi -- President William Ruto has reaffirmed the constitutional right of Kenyans to criticise the Government, express unpopular views and participate in peaceful demonstrations, saying no citizen should lose their life, liberty or dignity for exercising those freedoms.",
  "key_points": [
    "Young Kenyans' 2024 protests seen as constitutional freedoms, not attacks on democracy.",
    "Ruto calls for independent, transparent investigation of alleged human rights violations."
  ],
  "editors_take": "President Ruto's remarks signal a significant commitment to upholding constitutional freedoms, particularly for critics and protesters, and imply a shift towards greater accountability and restraint in State responses to dissent.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}