The government will not tolerate economic sabotage and anarchy in the country.
President William Ruto says he will take stern action against those who disrupt, attack, or threaten businesses and normalcy.
He noted that even though the Government respects the Opposition’s right to protest, it will not allow them to impede other people’s rights.
“We know what democracy looks like and we also know what human rights are, it is nothing to do with violence,” he said.
He spoke on Monday during the Labour Day celebration at the Uhuru Garden in Nairobi City County.
The President asked the Opposition to channel their grievances through the bipartisan talks in Parliament.
“We will not allow politicians to use hired goons to disrupt lives and businesses,” he said.
The President assured Kenyans that the Government is keen on reducing the cost of living by increasing food production.
Present were Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries, Governors, Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, and the Central Organisation of Trade Unions Secretary General Francis Atwoli.
Gachagua appealed to Raila Odinga to embrace dialogue and allow workers and entrepreneurs to hustle in peace.
“They must understand that the President has a constitutional duty to protect life and property,” said the Deputy President.
Atwoli appealed to workers to steer clear of demonstrations and instead focus on contributing to Kenya’s economic growth.
The COTU Secretary General called on Raila and other sponsors of the protests to call off planned protests, noting that it will disrupt workers’ livelihoods.
“Workers want to access their places of work peacefully,” Atwoli said.
Mudavadi said the Opposition’s destructive and violent protests were unnecessary.
“It is time for us to close ranks, pull together and work with the Government to ensure that we enhance the economic stability of our country,” he said.
At the same time, President Ruto said the government is committed to creating opportunities that will generate wealth.
He cited increasing agricultural and agro-industrial productivity, the growth of MSMEs, the construction of affordable housing units, and stimulating the explosion of the digital economy.
The President said the Government will also sign bilateral agreements with countries that require skilled workers to curb unemployment in the country.
President Ruto said the government has invested in the affordable housing project to not only increase affordable houses in the country but also to create jobs for the youth.
“If we do not create job opportunities for the youth, they will engage in criminal activities and drug abuse,” he said.
The President said he is pushing for an increase in the contribution of the National Social Security Fund (NSSF) from Shs 200 to 6% of workers’ income to end age-old poverty.
“We want our workers to have a decent income at the end of every month once they retire,” he said.
The President said the government has changed the National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) contribution formula to make it equitable. He said employees contribute 2.7% of their earnings.
Sakaja said the County Government will conduct an operation aimed at ensuring that plastic bags are no longer used in the city’s markets.