'We cannot allow Kenya to slide into anarchy,' Kindiki says after protests

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has warned that Kenya will not be allowed to slide into anarchy, following Wednesday’s nationwide protests that turned violent.
“We will not allow ever again what happened yesterday to be repeated. We cannot allow our country to slide into anarchy, lawlessness, and chaos,” said the DP on Thursday, June 26. 

“We will do whatever it takes to protect the country from sliding into anarchy. What happened yesterday is a turning point.” 

Kindiki described Wednesday’s protests as “the most violent and anarchist day in the history of Kenya since the 2007–08 post-election violence.”

His remarks come in the wake of widespread demonstrations that left at least ten people dead, over 400 injured, and businesses across major towns looted or destroyed.

“It was shameful. The loss of lives, destruction of public and private property, wanton looting, and destruction of private businesses was unprecedented,” he added. 

Churches and diplomats

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Kindiki further pointed a finger at some religious leaders, accusing them of misguiding young people under the pretence of constitutional rights.

“There are churches that incited the young people to do what they wanted and told them that they had a right to exercise their freedoms as they pleased. Today, I want to ask those religious leaders if what we witnessed yesterday is the kind of rights they were promoting,” he questioned. 

The DP also criticised unnamed diplomats for allegedly encouraging unrest through statements that, in his view, emboldened demonstrators.

“…there are envoys and diplomats who told young people that they had a right to exercise their rights as they pleased. I want to ask those envoys and political leaders, what they saw yesterday, the destruction witnessed, is that what they wanted? Is that what they were looking for?”

His comments follow concerns raised by some Western embassies earlier in the week about the protests being infiltrated by goons, which authorities say may have contributed to the chaos.

Despite the firm tone, Kindiki sought to reassure the public that the government remains committed to upholding civil liberties.

“We will not interfere or curtail the freedom of opinion and expression, the freedom of the media and thought, but we will not allow anyone to descend our country into mayhem.” 

Several parts of the country are still recovering from yesterday’s demonstrations that left a trail of destruction.