President William Ruto has responded sharply to a recent High Court decision by Justice Lawrence Mugambi, who ruled against the placement of police roadblocks in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD).
The judge stated that the National Police Service violated the Constitution by limiting Kenyans’ rights to freedom of movement, assembly, and peaceful protest—rights protected under Articles 37 and 39 of the Kenyan Constitution.
In a firm and emotional reaction, President Ruto criticized Justice Mugambi’s ruling, suggesting that the judge had ignored the safety and protection of ordinary Kenyans.
The president questioned the decision, pointing out that the judge himself benefits from state security while telling police officers not to protect Kenyan citizens and their property.
“I have seen court orders telling the Inspector General not to place roadblocks and not to use teargas,” Ruto said during his Wednesday address. “But the person giving that order is guarded by police officers at his home and driven by trained security personnel. Yet he says police should not defend Kenyans or stop destruction of property.”
The president seemed to confirm that the roadblocks seen on Monday, July 7, on roads leading to the CBD were a strategic move by the government aimed at preventing looting and destruction. He defended the presence of police and their tactics, saying they were necessary to ensure peace and protect citizens from harm.
“There’s always a reason for putting up roadblocks. There’s a reason why police have teargas. These are tools meant to safeguard the lives of Kenyans, especially when there’s a real threat to their safety,” Ruto added.
The High Court’s ruling came after the Katiba Institute filed a petition, arguing that police had violated Kenyans’ rights by preventing access to the city centre. Justice Mugambi responded by ordering the immediate removal of barbed wire and roadblocks, allowing free movement except in areas that require limited security for safety reasons.
Besides expressing his frustration with the court ruling, Ruto also criticized the ongoing protests in various parts of the country.
He said recent demonstrations had turned violent, with clashes between protesters and police becoming more frequent. Ruto accused unnamed political leaders of fueling the unrest, claiming there was a broader plan to destabilize his government.
In one of his boldest statements yet, Ruto accused some individuals of plotting to illegally remove him from office before the 2027 general election. He warned that such attempts would be met with firm resistance from law enforcement and the rule of law.
“I hear people saying they want to use unconstitutional ways to remove me before the 2027 elections. Let me challenge them—try it and see what happens. They will meet the full force of the law,” he warned.
Ruto maintained that Kenya is a democratic country, and leadership changes must only happen through legal, peaceful elections—not violence or force.
“This is a democracy. Leadership in Kenya will be determined by the people through the ballot. Anyone thinking of changing the government using violence is wasting their time. That will never be allowed in this country,” Ruto concluded.
His remarks come at a time when tensions remain high across the country, with many Kenyans raising concerns over governance, police actions, and the growing wave of public protests.
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