Sifuna condemns Ruto’s protest crackdown
By Faith Lagat, July 10, 2025Nairobi County Senator Edwin Sifuna has launched a blistering attack on President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of undermining democracy through violent suppression of protests.
Speaking in the Senate on July 10, 2025, Sifuna cited recent killings and injuries during demonstrations as evidence of state-sanctioned brutality.
“When you talk about a state officer standing up and saying you can shoot people—as if people don’t die from casualty wounds—we saw Rex Masai was shot in the leg,” Sifuna said, referencing the 2024 shooting of the 29-year-old during anti-tax protests. “How can you tell people to shoot others in the legs as if those are sustainable injuries?”
The senator’s comments come amid growing criticism of the government’s response to peaceful protests and the crackdown on protests by Ruto.
Ruto’s remarks yesterday in the wake of the Gen Z-led protest wave have triggered widespread condemnation, with critics warning that Kenya could be slipping into authoritarian rule.
Speaking during the commissioning of a police housing project in Nairobi’s Kilimani area on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, the president issued an alarming directive that police should shoot protesters in the leg if caught looting or destroying property.
“Anyone who burns down someone else’s business and property, let them be shot in the leg and go to the hospital as they head to court,” Ruto said. “Yes, let them not kill, but shoot and break the legs. Destroying people’s property is not right.”
Sifuna also highlighted the death of Albert Ojwang, who died in police custody earlier this year. “Albert Ojwang is gone. He won’t be able to meet William Ruto in 2027,” he said. “You can’t ask me to wait for the ballot while ensuring I don’t live to see it. Is Albert Ojwang supposed to vote from the grave? There’s no such polling station.”
His death has intensified calls for urgent police reforms and accountability in the security sector.
The senator didn’t spare the government on economic governance either, accusing it of misusing public funds and branding public projects as personal achievements. ‘Put it on the plaque: “Your taxes have built this stadium.” Not Ruto. Not anyone else,” he added, taking a swipe at deceptive signage in places like Kamariny, a stadium that reportedly does not exist.
In his most scathing remarks yet, Sifuna called President Ruto an “existential threat” to the country’s future. “We have totally lost our way. We will not have a conversation with someone telling us to wait for 2027 when he is not giving us a chance to get there. He must go as soon as possible.”
As nationwide protests continue, Sifuna’s remarks reflect the mounting frustration among Kenyans demanding justice, accountability, and the protection of civil liberties.