In his New Year’s address to the nation on December 31, 2024, President William Ruto emphasized the importance of exercising constitutional freedoms responsibly, cautioning against their misuse to cause harm.
“While the Constitution guarantees the right to protest, this freedom is not absolute and must be balanced with the need to uphold public safety and order. We cannot allow the pursuit of individual liberties to endanger lives or provide cover for criminal acts,” he stated.
The President reiterated that constitutional rights should not be manipulated by those with harmful intentions, urging citizens to respect the boundaries of these freedoms.
His remarks followed protests organized by activists on December 29, demanding accountability for a spate of abductions. During these demonstrations, 22 individuals—including lawyers, activists, and Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah—were detained and released shortly after on a Ksh1,000 bond.
These protests were sparked by a wave of unsettling disappearances across the country, including six cases reported during the Christmas period. Those missing—Peter Muteti, Bernard Kavuli, Billy Mwangi, Gideon Kibet, Rony Kiplangat, and Steve Kavingo—are vocal critics of the current administration. Justice Bahati Mwamuye has since directed Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja to provide a detailed account of their disappearances, which are suspected to involve security agencies.
As the country enters 2025, Ruto called on key stakeholders to introspect on the systemic issues that have led to the misinterpretation and misuse of constitutional freedoms. He attributed the rise in violent incidents, such as abductions, femicide, and other crimes, to a growing culture of individualism and a lack of shared moral values.
“To foster meaningful dialogue, it is crucial for all stakeholders to critically assess the factors driving individuals toward extreme and self-serving interpretations of rights interpretations that often conflict with the rights of others and undermine the common good,” Ruto remarked.
