Upon assessment, President H.E. William Ruto’s Cabinet said they have noted that in the recent outbreak of riots in the country, at first, the protests were genuine but were later infiltrated by criminals and political forces.
The President of Kenya faced severe backlash from his citizens regarding the Financial Bill that would see an increase in taxes, which led to the natives, mostly youth taking to the streets in protest against the Bill.
The protest soon took a turn for the worse resulting in fatalities, vandalism of key government structures and police brutality. This attracted international media covering the riots.
President Ruto swiftly withdrew the Bill in order to end the protests and for stability saying other methods must be implemented to cover the costs of the country. However, despite the withdrawal and refusing to sign the Bill, the wind changed direction and there was a call for President William Ruto to step down, and that the protests will not end until Ruto falls.
The security of the country came under the spotlight during the riots, as protestors made their way to parliament and threatened the stability of the country.
William Ruto chaired a meeting at State House Nairobi, on 4 July 2024, where his Cabinet discussed amongst others the issue of state security. The President was briefed that though the riots started as a protest against the tax measures proposed in the Finance Bill 2024, they were infiltrated, hijacked and taken over by criminal and opportunistic political forces.
At the meeting, Cabinet was informed that there were two groups that were instigating the riots causing chaos in the country, attacking government buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, homes and businesses; leading to loss of life as well.
The Cabinet heard that due to the threat posed to Parliament, the Supreme Court and other infrastructure, all national security agencies, including the military, were deployed to forestall the breakdown of law and order.
The briefing said the situation in Kenya is now stable, as security agencies managed to stabilise the situation and are continuing to monitor the situation.
President Ruto told his Cabinet that the country needs to charter a way forward for the future of Kenya, but before doing so, they need to root out all police forces who acted outside the boundaries of the law during the riots.
The Cabinet also called for action against those who have committed heinous crimes of arson, looting and robbery, among others, saying such atrocities must not go unpunished.
On 12 July 2024, President William Ruto accepted the resignation of Inspector General of the National Police Service, Japheth Koome. The reason for Koome’s resignation was not mentioned but the President announced Mr. Douglas Kanja as his replacement saying he will be Acting Inspector-General of the National Police Service until parliament approves and appoints an Inspector-General.
President William Ruto also appointed Mr. Patrick Mwiti Arandu as the Commissioner General of Prisons; taking over from Brigadier (Rtd) John Warioba, who is proceeding on terminal leave pending the end of his tenure of office.
Mr. Noor Gabow has been deployed within the Public Service. Mr. Eliud Lagat was appointed acting Deputy Inspector General of the Kenya Police Service, and Mr. James Kamau was appointed acting Deputy Inspector General of the Administration Police Service.
Mr. Ranson Lolmodooni, was appointed Commandant, General Service Unit (GSU), while Mr. Gilbert Masengeli was appointed Commandant, Administration Police Training College (APTC), Embakasi.
Mr. William Yiampoy has been appointed Director of Operations, Police Headquarters, and Mr. Kainga Mathiu is appointed Commandant, National Police Leadership Academy (NPSA), Ngong.