Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

President William Ruto now says the culprits behind the damage to property and injuries during the June 25 protests will be traced and subjected to justice.

The president spoke to security chiefs on Saturday, June 28, at State House, Nairobi.

Ruto is concerned that criminals are leveraging protests to advance lawlessness.

He was disturbed by the attacks perpetrated on the police and damages caused to police stations and government property, including vehicles; he said the country would be unsafe if the law enforcers themselves are not safe.

Ruto said "this trend must change", hinting at tough measures to arrest lawlessness borne in the protests.

He said the security of the country would be at risk if the officers charged with maintaining law and order become targets.

"We cannot have a country where criminals run after our policemen. If a policeman’s life is in danger, then, how can our families be safe?" he said.

He declared that the culprits behind the infernos in police stations and attacks on the armed officers of the law will be hunted down and brought to justice.

"The criminals that attacked our officers and destroyed property in the Wednesday mayhem will be held to account," he stated.

The president assured the police officers of government support, appreciating the adversities they go past to undertake their duties.

"Let me also tell every police officer who wakes up early and puts their lives on the line to be able to secure our children, our families, and our nation that as you do that, we will do it equally. And we are equally obligated to make sure that we secure your families, your children, and yourself. And the government of Kenya, and myself as president, will make sure that in the discharge of your duties, every security officer is equally secured by the government."

Ruto appeared to associate himself with the controversial counsel given to the police by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen.

The CS, while taking stock of the damage caused to police installations and injuries to the officers at the height of the protests, asked the law enforcers to use their firearms in the event their lives are in danger.

According to Murkomen, anyone determined to raid a police station and steal firearms and cause damage and injuries while at it is a criminal who ought to be met with extreme brute force.

He asked the officers to open fire on the raiders.

The CS's sentiments sparked outrage as a huge section of the public perceived his counsel to police as a blatant "shoot to kill" order.

Murkomen was heavily criticised, with those concerned warning that he would be held to account should the officers take his counsel and embark on tyrannical and fatal use of firearms.

However, having taken so many hits, the CS came out to clarify that his counsel was for the police when their lives are in danger.

Murkomen said that his remarks were not to encourage the police to be reckless and misuse their weapons on civilians unprovoked.

Source: TUKO.co.ke