Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.

Kakamega senator Boni Khalwale has called on President William Ruto to address Kenyans' concerns amid rising cases of police brutality.

Speaking strongly, Khalwale also urged fellow politicians to stop supporting violent police crackdowns and instead unite in demanding accountability within the police service, including the arrest and prosecution of Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat.

In his address, Khalwale accused Nairobi governor Johnson Sakaja of exploiting vulnerable youths to disrupt peaceful protests.

He claimed that during last week's demonstrations following the killing of blogger Albert Ojwang, Sakaja allegedly mobilised youths from informal settlements in Kawangware, Kibra, and Mathare, arming them with crude weapons such as clubs and knives.

“Sakaja, you were elected by the people of Nairobi, many of whom are Luhyas proud of your roots in Ikolomani, Kakamega. But this habit of recruiting our children from Kawangware to commit crime must stop,” Khalwale said. “These young people voted for you so they could get jobs, not to be drawn into criminal activities. When they were asked who sent them, they said, ‘Sakaja.’ Stop playing with the children of the poor. If you continue, we will take you back to your homeland—we will not allow you to destroy our children.”

Khalwale’s comments come after several hired youths contributed to the chaos during the protests in Nairobi, where businesses were looted and peaceful demonstrators were assaulted.

The senator also recounted a recent bullfighting event where children were heard chanting that the government is failing them.

He told the president that if he had heeded his earlier warnings, the administration would not be facing the current wave of public dissent.

Khalwale emphasised that the citizens’ frustrations are not about policies like the Social Health Authority (SHA) or the Social Health Insurance Fund (SHIF), but rather the crumbling health sector.

“Their problem is not SHA or SHIF. Their problem is the lack of essential drugs, inadequate medical staff, and a collapsed health system,” he said.

He further advised Ruto to return management of education bursaries to the national headquarters and ensure the implementation of free education to alleviate the growing burden on struggling families.

In other news, Swaleh Sonko, the man who led a brutal attack against Gen Z protesters, has publicly apologised and pledged to join them in upcoming demonstrations.

Previously identifying himself as the chairman of the 'Goon Z,' he and his group had shared videos detailing their preparations for the violent assault, which left many injured and robbed.

He has now distanced himself from the attacks, expressing a desire to reconcile with the youth. Sonko has committed to supporting future protests, including the one planned for June 25.

Source: TUKO.co.ke