President William Ruto has come out strongly against leaders he accuses of orchestrating the chaos witnessed during the recent Saba Saba protests, warning that the government will not allow further destruction, violence, and lawlessness in the country.

Speaking on Wednesday in Kilimani, Nairobi, Ruto said the protests had been turned into a campaign of destruction, with private property looted, businesses attacked, and lives lost , acts he directly linked to political incitement and mobilisation of youths.

“There are people who think they will drive Kenya into chaos. The other day, people’s property were burned, supermarkets were raided, business were destroyed and those are leaders who have castigated and influenced all these,” Ruto said.

The President condemned the violence, accusing unnamed leaders of funding and inciting youth to cause destruction and undermine national stability.

“They are paying youths to go burn people’s businesses. All of those who have been arrested and found involved in the illegalities of raiding and destroying people’s property, they be brought to justice and will be jailed. And those leaders involved we are coming after you,” he warned.

Ruto insisted that any attack on police stations or security officers would be treated as an act of war against the state and would not be tolerated.

“Anyone who will go fight the police and attack the station, that is a declaration of war in the Republic of Kenya and it is not acceptable. Enough is enough, it will not continue like this,” he said.

He assured the public that the government would protect life and property, saying he would not stand by as lawlessness takes root in the country.

“I will protect Kenyans’ property, lives and their businesses. It is the responsibility of the government of Kenya which I lead that it will make sure these war of destroying property and burning business will stop. It must stop,” he said.

Ruto vowed that his administration would restore peace and stability “by all means possible”, stressing that the country could not afford to descend into chaos.

“We are going to use whatever means that is available to stabilise the country. We cannot accept mayhem and anarchy destroy this county,” he said.

The President also questioned the motives behind the demonstrations, suggesting that grievances being voiced were politically charged and anchored in pride and tribalism.

“People are telling me about Moi, Moi this. Moi was the President of Kenya just the way Kibaki was the President and Uhuru was also the President. And before Moi there was Kenyatta. Why all this anger?” he posed.

“This pride they are trying to bring to me, what is it all about? These games need to stop. Let us sort our problems. Put tribalism, hate and pride aside. All of us are Kenyans and no one is above the other,” Ruto added.

He insisted on the need for peace and unity, urging leaders to put the country’s stability first regardless of political or ethnic differences.

“You can call me whatever names you want but I will make sure that there is peace and stability in Kenya by all means possible,” he stated.

Ruto’s remarks came a day after the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights released a report showing that 31 people were killed, 107 injured, 532 arrested, and two forcibly disappeared during the Saba Saba protests. The commission also reported widespread property destruction, with the full extent of the damage yet to be determined.