Ruto: You can't save the country by burning it, if you want me to go, show me your plan

President William Ruto has dismissed growing calls for his resignation, urging critics to respect the Constitution and offer better solutions rather than inciting violence and destruction.

Speaking during the International MSMEs Day celebrations on Friday, the President said the chants of 'Ruto Must Go' have no meaning without a clear and lawful approach anchored in the Constitution.

He questioned the motive behind the calls and challenged his critics to explain what they mean and how they expect him to leave office.

“If it is a question of terms, the Constitution has already sorted out and settled the issue of term limits. You can either be one or two-term… You cannot have more than that. So what is this craze about terms?” Ruto said.

“If it is Ruto must go, then tell me how you want me to go. What do you mean by Ruto must go? How do I go? Because we have a Constitution in place.”

His remarks came just two days after countrywide anti-government protests on June 25 that turned violent, leaving several people injured, businesses vandalised, and many workers out of jobs.

Ruto said those promoting violence were hurting the very people they claimed to defend.

“If you want Ruto to go, look for a better plan. Violence will not, anarchy will not. It will not sort out our country. Let’s be honest with one another,” he said.

The President challenged his critics to provide a plan that could do more than his administration’s agenda, which he said was already addressing job creation and the high cost of living.

“Do the honourable thing. Develop a better plan than the one I have—one that creates more jobs, lowers the cost of living, and creates more opportunities for the young people of Kenya. You cannot replace a plan that is working that you do not like, with no plan,” Ruto said.

The President further expressed frustration at what he called the use of hate and violence to gain political ground. He said true political change must be based on persuasion and not the destruction of the country.

“Please! There are very few fools in Kenya. Persuade us. If you persuade us, I can also go and concentrate on farming and help with food security. But don’t burn the country—for heaven’s sake, we don’t have another country,” Ruto said.

He also criticised religious and political leaders who, he said, were encouraging unrest without offering any real alternatives.

“I want to ask the religious and political leaders who are encouraging this movement towards violence and chaos and anarchy… what is your plan?” The President posed.

Ruto warned that Kenya risks losing its stability if the protests continue in their current form, saying the country does not belong to any one individual.

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“If we go this route, we will not have a country. And the country does not belong to William Ruto—it belongs to all of us. And if there is no country for William Ruto, there is no country for you,” he said.

Reflecting on the impact of the protests, Ruto said the violence on June 25 had left thousands of Kenyans jobless overnight, questioning how such an outcome could be seen as a victory.

“We had many people with jobs on June 24. On the 25th, their jobs went up in flames. And we have others telling us that the 25th was successful. Really? With so many people hurt, many businesses destroyed… was it really successful?”

The President concluded by directing security agencies to take swift action in identifying and prosecuting those behind the violence, and promised that his government would protect lives and livelihoods through the rule of law.