Talk to the people, not at the people - Kenyatta tells Ruto

Kenyatta urges calm and calls for leaders to talk to the people but Ruto says the protesters are criminals

Former Kenyan president Uhuru Kenyatta is "saddened by the loss of lives" in Monday's protests and says he stands with the people.

Mr Kenyatta, in a statement released Monday evening, said it is the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead.

"I come to you with a heavy heart," he said. "At this trying time for our country I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people.

"Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very basis and philosophy of democracy."

Kenya is in the grip of nationwide protests against proposed tax hikes, which is culminating in a planned “total shutdown” of the country.

The demonstrations, sparked by the Finance Bill 2024, have seen citizens rally under the banner of “7 Days of Rage".

At least five Kenyans under the Gen-Z banner have been confirmed killed in the protests that swept the capital Nairobi and spread to townships beyond.

The protesters, the majority of them youth in their 20s, raided parliament building and broke in before setting it ablaze.

They also set the Uganda House, the seat of the Uganda high commission in Nairobi, on fire, damaging the first floor before the fire was contained.

Emboldened by their sweeping take down for the legislature, the protesters attempted to stomp the presidential palace but were stopped in their wake after the military had been called in to reinforce an overwhelmed police force that many times appeared to listen to their cries and rather than be repressive and crushing.

But immediate former president Kenyatta, who scaled the steps of the State House holding hands with current leader William Ruto, said leaders must know that power and authority they have is donated to them by the people.

"I therefore call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them," he said.

"Violence on either side is not the answer."

In 2013, Kenyatta was elected as the 4th President of Kenya under The National Alliance, which was part of the Jubilee Alliance with his running mate William Ruto's United Republican Party.

But the two fell out by the end of their second term, with Kenyatta dramatically backing Raila Odinga's fifth attempt at rbe presidency against Ruto in 2022.

Kenyatta said he was only fully aware of the weight and difficulty of leading Kenya.

"I therefore pray for wisdom and civility to be established and for peace and progress to belong to all of us as children of Kenya," he added.

With emphasis, he said the current leadership must speak to the people and not "at the people"

Mr Kenyatta's statement was released shortly after President Ruto addressed the nation and called the protesters "criminals".

With some of the security officers accused of abductions and preseason, President Ruto said he thanked officers who were on duty today for applying themselves to the best of their abilities in the defence of Kenya and its people.

"I have directed all organs of our national security to thwart any attempt by criminals to undermine the security and stability of Kenya," he said.

Ruto has previously played macho when Mr Odinga ran his government rugged with protests before caving in and handing his presidential rival a piece of the cake.

It remains unclear if he will have the mettle and fortitude to test the fearless young protesters if they returned to the streets again.