Ruto, Gachagua praise police for preventing deaths during maandamano
President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have lauded police officers for upholding law and order during the ongoing protests by supporters of Azimio la Umoja – One Kenya Coalitions.
President Ruto hailed the law enforcers bold and preventing loss and damage of property during the three-day protests that began on Wednesday.
“I want to congratulate our police for being bold and ensuring that there is peace and ensuring that action is taken on all offenders so that we ensure that there is peace in Kenya and people’s property is protected,” President Ruto said.
On his part, DP Gachagua lauded the police for ‘protecting’ people’s lives during the demonstrations.
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Speaking on Thursday, Gachagua said the law enforcers, led by the Inspector General of Police, Japhet Koome, and Interior Cabinet Secretary Prof Kithure Kindiki prevented loss of lives and also protected people’s properties.
“We want to praise our police officers, especially IG Koome and CS Kindiki, and other officers for maintaining law and order during the demos. They have prevented loss of lives and protected the people of Kenya, ensuring that properties are safe during maandamano,” Gachagua said.
He urged the police to continue with the good work and ensure that properties are protected.
Gachagua said Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga is used to getting what he wants through blackmail which he said will not happen under his watch.
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“He is used to getting to the government through blackmail, which he will not get (this time). Let him wait until 2027 and face President William Ruto in the ballot,” Gachagua said.
Meanwhile, reports indicate that six people were killed on Wednesday during the demonstrations, among them two in Nairobi, one in Makueni (Emali), one in Nakuru, one in Migori and another one in Kisumu (Nyamasaria).
There are also reports that 38 people were injured on the same day, including 12 in Migori, nine in Nakuru, five in Siaya, nine in Kisumu, one in Kibera and two in Mathare.
Interior CS Prof Kindiki also said 300 people were arrested during the protests on Wednesday. Among them 30 were arrested in Nairobi, 37 in Nakuru, 10 in Kisii, five in Nyamira, three in Mombasa and four in Siaya.