President William Ruto has urged Kenyans to abstain from all forms of violence, regardless of their differences of opinion.
The President stated that there is a need for mutual accommodation while speaking on Friday at the KICC in Nairobi during the introduction of the Public Service Commission Principles Compliance report.
He asserted that having disagreements on issues shows the strength of our democracy and shouldn't be exploited to create havoc.
"The constitution did not anticipate that differing viewpoints would lead to anarchy, loss of property, or loss of lives, he added. "Having divergent thoughts and opinions is part of what we enjoy as our democracy," he said.
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Ruto continued urging Kenyans to embrace democracy while upholding everyone else's constitutional rights.
He denounced property damage due to disorderly incidents brought on by controversies.
"We must all be free to celebrate the rights guaranteed by the constitution in a way that respects the rights of others, doesn't cause property damage, and doesn't need our kids to go to school. We can do that because of our maturity, " added Ruto.
Ruto's remarks follow opposition rallies on Thursday that were characterised by mayhem, looting, and property destruction, with significant portions of Nairobi's business districts being completely shut down.
At one point, boisterous youths overran the police. They blocked Outering Road, a main thoroughfare connecting the central business district and its outskirts, as the mass demonstration in Nairobi's Eastlands descended into fatal combat.
The police employed tear gas to disrupt the protesters and prevent the Azimio convoy from connecting to the main road that connects Mombasa Road and Thika Road, which is when the trouble began.
After speaking with people of the Mukuru Kwa Njenga slums as part of his rallying cry against the President William Ruto-led Kenya Kwanza administration, Raila attempted to take the route.
Police opened fire with water cannons and tear gas as the brigade reached the roadway with crowds of followers in tow, forcing the convoy to do a U-turn.
Before hitting a traffic jam, the vehicles carrying the opposition leaders drove on the right side of the road toward Airport North road.
The vehicles avoided the barricade and continued to the Southern Bypass, where the leaders withdrew to Karen.
In Karen, the former prime minister said the police attack was unjustified.
In a tweet, Raila stated that "there is no justification for the cruelty that the residents of Pipeline and we have experienced this afternoon. Your days are numbered, Ruto and [Deputy President Rigathi] Gachagua, so count them well".
A portion of the mob, which was with the leader of the Azimio group, stayed behind to fight the police vehemently while singing anti-Ruto chants and burning bonfires.
The lot made the region unusable for vehicles travelling in either direction, blocking the highway at the Fedha footbridge.
