Drawing a connection between the 2024 Gen Z demonstrations and recent incidents of political violence, Ruto said the government's initial restraint had allowed criminal elements to emerge.
Kenyan President William Ruto has said individuals involved in the 2024 Gen Z protests have now "graduated from protesters to goons," pledging that his administration will take decisive action against violent groups ahead of the country's 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Busia on Sunday, Ruto assured Kenyans that the next general election would be conducted peacefully despite growing concerns over attacks by armed gangs at political events according to Kenyan news platform, Citizen Digital.
"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," Ruto said.
The President urged political actors and citizens to prioritise peace, saying elections are a periodic democratic exercise and should never be used as a justification for violence or destruction.
