NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto has refuted claims that the National Intelligence Service (NIS) failed to provide sufficient intelligence ahead of the recent youth-led protests against the rejected Finance Bill 2024.
Speaking during a broadcasted media roundtable at the State House on Sunday, President Ruto emphasized that there were adequate intelligence reports indicating that criminal elements intended to infiltrate the peaceful demonstrations.
“We had information, and that is why we prepared in the manner that we did. If we had not prepared, we would be counting different numbers of those who died,” President Ruto stated.
According to the President, the intelligence gathered showed that certain groups were planning to disrupt the protests and cause chaos under the guise of peaceful demonstrators.
He noted that many young people participating in the protests dispersed by 10 p.m. upon realizing that suspicious groups had joined their ranks.
“Many of the young people left town by 10 p.m. when they realized that a suspicious group had infiltrated them,” he said.
During the interview, President Ruto also addressed allegations of extra-judicial killings, firmly denying their occurrence under his administration.
When questioned about the Deputy President’s comments on the matter, Ruto avoided direct criticism but defended the administration’s stance.
“It is not fair to discuss the Deputy President here because he is not present to explain the context in which he said those things,” he said. “I’m sure if you interview the Deputy President he will answer that appropriately… but take it from me, extra-judicial killings will not be part of an administration that I’m part of.”
President Ruto assured that those responsible for the destruction of property and looting during the protests would face legal consequences.
He revealed that some individuals involved in the violence would be arraigned on Monday.
“The ‘criminal elements’ that destroyed Parliament and looted shops will face the rule of law,” he asserted.
The controversy over the NIS’s role in the protests was further fueled by Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s recent criticism of NIS Director General Noordin Haji.
Gachagua claimed that the NIS had failed to provide adequate intelligence to the President, leaving the government and the people of Kenya vulnerable.
“We have a dysfunctional National Intelligence Service that has exposed the President, government, and the people of Kenya,” Gachagua said.
He argued that if President Ruto had been better informed, he might have reconsidered pushing the Finance Bill through Parliament.
