Cabinet: Those behind chaos during demos must be punished

President William Ruto has emphasised the need for the country to take a new path following the recent protests witnessed in parts of the country.

When he chaired a cabinet meeting at Statehouse, Nairobi on Thursday, Ruto pointed out that significant changes must be made to align with that new future.

During the meeting which marked the first since the start of the protests in the country, the cabinet was briefed on the security situation in the country.

The meeting, chaired by President William Ruto, was informed 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.

This occasioned loss of life, and destruction of National and County governments’ buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, homes and businesses.

“The Cabinet was, however, informed that the security agencies have stabilised the situation and are continuing to monitor the developments,” reads a brief to newsrooms.

This, as the members called for action against those who have committed heinous crimes of arson, looting and robbery, among others, saying such atrocities must not go unpunished.

Security agencies also had a special mention with members commending them for their work pointing out that they on the whole acted professionally in very difficult circumstances.

“The Cabinet also noted that security agencies did a good job of protecting the country from anarchists,” it added.

On any officers who may have acted outside the confines of the law, the Cabinet said they will be dealt with in accordance with legal procedure and by the institutions mandated to do so.

On the withdrawn Finance Bill, President Ruto stated that the Treasury is reorganising the budget to accommodate the new reality.

This will include substantial cutting down of budgets to “balance between what to be implemented and what can wait”, and ensuring that key national programmes are not affected.

“Our plan is good and solid and, in the fullness of time, we shall be vindicated,” President Ruto said.

On another agenda, the Cabinet discussed the implementation of the Kenya Urban Improvement Project in the Nairobi Metropolitan Area.

This includes the phased-out upgrade of the 163km Nairobi Commuter Rail. The first phase of the upgrade will comprise improving the 58km commuter rail between the Nairobi Central Railway Station and Thika.

The project will also include the acquisition of new locomotives and the improvement of non-motorised transport infrastructure, and feeder roads along the Nairobi Commuter Rail network.

Several Bills and policies were also approved which include the Kenya Secondary Education Equity and Quality Improvement Programme and the Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement.

Others are Co-Hosting of the Second Edition of the African Continental Free Trade Area Youth Symposium on September 5-7, 2024, Public Finance Management (Amendment) Bill 2024 and Ratification of Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Kenya and various countries, including Somalia, Morocco, Algeria, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Guinea, the United Kingdom and South Korea.