Two years after deadly protests shook Kenya and left families searching for answers, President William Ruto has said no one responsible for human rights violations should escape accountability, calling for credible allegations arising from the demonstrations to be independently and transparently investigated.
Speaking at the 16th anniversary Katiba Day Symposium at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi on Thursday, August 27, 2026, Ruto said the State could not claim to uphold the Constitution while ignoring claims of unlawful arrests, forced disappearances and excessive use of lethal force during the 2024 Finance Bill protests.
“Some families lost loved ones. Serious allegations were made concerning unlawful arrests, forced disappearances, and excessive use of lethal force. We cannot honor the constitution by looking away from such allegations. Every credible allegation of a human rights violation must be investigated independently, thoroughly, and transparently. Where wrongdoing is established, those responsible must be held accountable in accordance with the law.”
Ruto said the 2024 demonstrations marked an important point in Kenya’s recent political history, with young people and other citizens taking to the streets to demand accountability, better governance and a greater say in the country’s future.
“Accountability also requires us to confront difficult moments in our recent national life during the protests of 2024 and those that followed, young Kenyans and other citizens exercised their constitutional freedoms to speak, assemble, and demonstrate. Their message was clear. They wanted to be heard. They demanded greater accountability, better government, and a meaningful place in shaping the future of their nation. Those demands were not an assault on democracy.”
The protests began on June 18, 2024, with opposition to proposed tax measures in the Finance Bill driving demonstrations that were largely organised by young Kenyans through social media and street protests.
The situation turned deadly on June 25 when protesters entered Parliament grounds in Nairobi as MPs passed the Bill. The confrontation led to deaths and injuries and was followed by allegations of unlawful arrests, abductions and excessive use of force.
Ruto announced on June 26, 2024 that he would not sign the Finance Bill before eventually withdrawing it following mounting public pressure.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights initially recorded 39 deaths and 361 injuries by July 1, 2024. By July 25, the commission had documented 60 deaths, 66 missing persons and 1,376 arrests linked to the protests.
Ruto said the right to protest remains protected by the Constitution and that Kenyans should not be punished simply for criticising the government or taking part in peaceful demonstrations.
“No Kenyan should lose their life, liberty, or dignity merely for criticizing government, expressing an unpopular opinion, or participating in peaceful demonstration. I recognize the pain that remains from the events of that period.”
The 2010 Constitution, promulgated on August 27, 2010, established a broad Bill of Rights and strengthened protections for political participation and civil liberties. Article 37 guarantees every person the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, demonstrate, picket and present petitions to public authorities.
Ruto, however, said the protection of protest rights did not extend to criminal acts committed during demonstrations.
“The constitution protects peaceful and unarmed assembly. It does not protect looting, lawlessness, violence, intimidation, attacks on citizens or the destruction of public and private property.”
He said citizens and State agencies both had a role to play in protecting the constitutional order, with protesters required to remain peaceful and security agencies expected to respect citizens' rights while maintaining order.
“Rights and responsibilities are not enemies. Responsibility protects the conditions in which everyone's right can be enjoyed. The right to protest carries a responsibility to remain peaceful and unarmed. The duty to maintain order carries an obligation to respect life, dignity, and the law.”
The President's remarks come as the government continues to address complaints linked to deaths, injuries and alleged human rights violations during demonstrations dating back several years.
In 2025, a Panel of Experts chaired by constitutional scholar Prof Makau Mutua was established to examine the circumstances surrounding victims of demonstrations and public protests from 2017 onwards and advise on compensation and other forms of redress.
Former Law Society of Kenya President Faith Odhiambo served as the panel's vice-chairperson.
The panel was formed amid calls for the State to recognise and compensate victims of violence linked to protests.
By June 2026, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights had received 1,937 claims covering the period between 2017 and 2025, of which 1,101 had been verified.
The government subsequently announced a Sh2 billion compensation framework for verified victims.
Ruto said the process should help reinforce the balance between citizens' constitutional freedoms and their responsibilities, while ensuring State agencies remain accountable when exercising public power.