Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has defended young protesters armed with their phones and water bottles from being referred to as anarchists.
Addressing the press on Sunday, July 21, 2024, Kalonzo wondered how some government officials have consistently referred to young protesters armed only with their phones and a bottle of water as anarchists.
“How can you say that a young lady, a young man, armed with a bottle of water and a phone is an anarchist?” the Wiper Party leader posed.
In his argument, Kalonzo pointed out that the young demonstrators armed with their phones and water bottles are only exercising their right to demonstrate and picket which is enshrined in the constitution.
“There are no anarchists. They are absolutely constitutional. We must all uphold the rule of law,” he further stated.
There are no anarchists. They are absolutely constitutional. We must ALL uphold the rule of law.
— Kalonzo Musyoka (@skmusyoka) July 21, 2024
How can you say that a young lady, a young man, armed with a bottle of water and a phone is an anarchist?
I don't know how to thank Gen Zs. They have really liberated this country… pic.twitter.com/Uv0mMeBcht
Anarchists
The word anarchist has been used several times by various top leaders in condemning the protests which turned violent.
On July 4, 2024, a dispatch from the Cabinet noted that security agencies did a good job of protecting the country from anarchists. The now-dismissed Cabinet Secretaries argued that the security officers acted professionally during the protests.
On June 25, 2024, President William Ruto denounced the protests that saw parliament stormed and at least five people shot dead as treasonous.
“Accordingly, I assure Kenyans that we shall provide a full, effective and expeditious response to today’s treasonous events. I shall continue to lead a government that is fully committed tomaintaining the integrity of our state, promoting the unity of ournation and enhancing the peace and security of all citizens andtheir livelihoods.
“I am bound under sacred constitutionalmandate to respect, uphold and defend the constitution ofKenya, which declares that all sovereign power belong to thepeople, and that this power shall be exercised only in accordancewith the constitution,” he declared.
He however changed his tone and agreed to engage the youth in dialogue to address some of their issues.
Vows to clampdown on protests
In another change of tune, President William Ruto vowed to end the wave of protests which he argued that risks plunging the country into chaos and anarchy.
“We are a democratic country, we solve our issues peacefully through democratic means,” Ruto said.
“What we can’t do as a nation is to abandon democracy for dictatorship chaos, destruction of property, deaths and anarchy, that we shall not do,” he added.
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