Ruto dismisses photo of child shot eight times in Rongai, stating the incident occurred years ago.

President William Ruto, addressing concerns during a Space Conversation hosted by influencer Osama Otero, refuted reports of a young child sustaining eight gunshot wounds in Ongata Rongai amid anti-government protests. He clarified that the photos used were from an unrelated incident in Buru Buru years ago and did not depict the situation in Rongai. Ruto criticized opportunists who he claimed exploited the peaceful protests for their own agendas.

Regarding the broader protests, Ruto defended the right to protest as enshrined in the Constitution but asserted that criminal elements had hijacked some demonstrations, leading to violence and property damage, including the burning of parliament.

His comments sparked backlash online, with many urging him to take responsibility for the use of force by anti-riot officers against peaceful protestors. Responding to allegations, Ruto dismissed reports of a massacre in Githurai where over 200 lives were purportedly lost, challenging those making the claims to provide evidence.

Meanwhile, Kennedy Onyango, a 12-year-old allegedly shot eight times during the protests' first week, became a poignant symbol of the unrest. His mother, speaking to Citizen Digital, vehemently denied that her son was involved in the protests, describing him as innocent and ambitious, dreaming of an education that would take him to America.

The situation remains tense, with conflicting narratives and demands for accountability amidst ongoing protests and allegations of excessive force.