The Cabinet met today and was briefed on the security situation in the country following days riots.
The meeting which was held at State House Nairobi, was chaired by President William Ruto, and 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.
Both groups have in the past two weeks reigned terror on the people of Kenya in the cities, towns and other urban areas, occasioning loss of life, destruction of National and County governments’ buildings, infrastructure, vehicles, homes and businesses.
Due to the threat posed to Parliament, the Supreme Court and other infrastructure, the Cabinet was informed that all national security agencies, including the military, were deployed to forestall the break-down of law and order.
The team was also informed that the security agencies have stabilized the situation and are continuing to monitor the developments.
They commended security officers, 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.
President Ruto said the government must now focus on charting a new future for the country, pointing out that significant changes must be made to align with that new future.
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.
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On the withdrawn Finance Bill, President Ruto said the National Treasury is reorganizing the budget to accommodate the new reality.
“Our plan is good and solid and, in the fullness of time, we shall be vindicated,” President Ruto said.
On other 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 acquisition of new locomotives and improvement of non-motorized transport infrastructure, and feeder roads along the Nairobi Commuter Rail network.
The Cabinet also approved the following Bills policies:
Kenya Secondary Education Equity and Quality Improvement Program
Kenya-United Arab Emirates Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement
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
Ratification of Bilateral Air Services Agreements between Kenya and various countries, including Somalia, Morocco, Algeria, Swaziland, Zimbabwe, Guinea, the United Kingdom and South Korea.
Kenyans now wait to see the direction that President Ruto will take to restore confidence in his government and resolve the economic woes plaguing the country.
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