President William Ruto has vowed to intensify the government’s crackdown on individuals involved in violent demonstrations, saying those behind recent protests have evolved from peaceful demonstrators into ‘goons’ responsible for looting, arson and destruction of property.

Speaking on Sunday, July 26, 2026, in Busia, the President said the government had initially exercised restraint when handling protesters because many of them were young Kenyans but noted that the situation had since changed due to escalating violence.

“We were lenient with those who were demonstrating, causing chaos, looting and burning property because we said they are our children. But we’ve seen how damaging that is. They have now graduated from protesters to goons. We have vowed to deal with all goons,” Ruto said.

Anti-government protests

His remarks come amid heightened political tensions following months of anti-government protests that have seen businesses vandalised, public infrastructure damaged and clashes between demonstrators and security agencies in several parts of the country.

The government has maintained that criminal gangs have infiltrated protests to loot businesses and destroy property, with the President previously directing security agencies to intensify operations against those orchestrating violence while safeguarding law and order.

Even as he defended the government’s tough stance on violent protests, Ruto assured Kenyans that his administration remains committed to ensuring peace ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“Irrespective of who we are, our persuasion, our political leaning, whatever it’s that we believe in, we must have a peaceful nation. I want to assure you as the people of Kenya that we will have peaceful elections next year,” the president said.

The President reiterated that while the Constitution guarantees every Kenyan the right to assemble and demonstrate peacefully, acts of violence, looting and destruction of property will not be tolerated.

The President’s comments also come against the backdrop of heightened security measures witnessed during the recent Saba Saba protests.

The National Police Service maintained that organisers had not issued the mandatory notification required under the Public Order Act, insisting that all public processions must comply with the law.