All Kenyans who were arrested and arraigned in court for taking part in anti-government protests should be let go, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking when he unveiled his new nominees to a board-based cabinet on Wednesday, the head of state noted that a majority of those apprehended were exercising their constitutional right to express their misgivings about the path the country was taking and ought not to be criminalized for doing so.
“In the past few weeks, we have all witnessed the direct and robust exercise of these rights and freedoms by Kenyans, who called on their government to pay attention to urgent national issues and to prioritise necessary changes and reforms to actualise their demands,” he said
“I urge the criminal justice agencies to take effective measures and ensure that people who may have been innocently caught up on the wrong side of proceedings, and those not implicated in crimes are released and the charges against them withdrawn,” said the President
He affirmed that Kenya is a free, open and democratic country based on constitutionalism and the rule of law.
“Our fundamental rights and freedoms are guaranteed by the Constitution and cannot be taken away. They include the freedom of conscience and expression, the right to assemble, to demonstrate, picket and present petitions,” he stated
President Ruto express regret that there have been many instances of what he described as “excessive, unlawful, dangerous and harmful conduct during the demonstrations and engagements” as a consequence of which many persons have been arrested and charged in court with various offences.
“This will enable the agencies to focus their resources, efforts and time to investigating and prosecuting serious criminal elements who took advantage of peaceful demonstrations to advance a dangerous agenda. It is important that these suspects are brought to book, and that they are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he stated
And amid public outcry over use of excessive force by the police on Kenyans exercising their democratic rights, President Ruto said law enforcement agencies must execute their mandate responsibly, professionally, effectively and in full compliance with the Constitution.
He reiterated that all breaches and violations by police officers must be handled expeditiously through due process, “with a view to giving Kenyans a police service that upholds the highest standards of integrity,”
But even as he asked for the release of those who were caught during protests, Ruto asked Kenyans to exercise their rights as citizens having in mind that they also have responsibilities so as not to undermine broader aspirations to remain a country governed under rules and institutions for the benefit of all.
He said it was regrettable that lives were lost as a result of disturbances occasioned by lawless activity during the protests.
“This is not how and where our democracy should proceed, and we must do all we can to ensure that this does not occur again in future. The government will provide support to the families of those citizens who lost their loved ones,” he said
