President William Ruto has warned the opposition against holding anti-government protests next week.

Speaking on Friday, July 14, 2023, Ruto vowed that he will not allow protests planned by the Azimio la Umoja-One Kenya coalition party to happen.

“That route you (Raila) have taken; I can guarantee you, we will meet face to face. I want to say that there will be no protests in Kenya again. The one they are planning for on Wednesday will not happen,” Ruto said.

This comes hours after Azimio announced that it will hold anti-government protests on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week.

“Further to the communication issued yesterday on the Third Wave of peaceful protests scheduled to start on Wednesday next week, and following overwhelming requests from all sectors of the Kenyan Public for the need to intensify these demonstrations, the Coalition hereby wishes to announce a revision of the calendar.

“Going forward, the peaceful protests will now be held on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week, in line with requests from the public to include three days of activity. Let’s meet on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday,” the statement read.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki has also vowed to stop next week’s protests, accusing the opposition of orchestrating chaos, destruction of property and killings during protests.

“There is no right of freedom to loot, kill, injure or destroy private and public property. What was witnessed on Wednesday is anarchy and economic sabotage. We will not allow it again next week,” Kindiki said.

The protests are aimed at piling pressure on the Kenya Kwanza government to address the high cost of living, repeal the Finance Act 2023 as well as stop the ongoing exercise of recruiting new electoral commissioners.