Following the protests that have ensued in Kenya resulting in the death of protesters, President of Kenya, William Kuto has declared that he has no blood on his hands.
This is as citizens marched in the Kenyan capital Nairobi Sunday, to honour those who died in anti-government demonstrations this week.
Rights groups say at least 30 people died in protests driven by a government drive to substantially raise taxes in the East African country.
Ruto, in his television interview, put the toll at 19, the first figures issued by the authorities. He promised a full investigation into the deaths.
“I have no blood on my hands,” said Ruto during the interview with Kenyan TV.”
Referring to the deaths, he said: “It is very unfortunate. As a democracy that should not be part of our conversation…”
“There will be an investigation on how these 19 Kenyans died,” he added. “There will be an explanation for each and every one of them.
“The police have done the best they could,” said Ruto.
“If there have been any excesses, we have mechanisms to make sure that those excesses are dealt with.”
The clashes were unprecedented in the history of the country since its independence from Britain in 1963.
On Saturday, a few hundred people gathered in Uhuru Park in central Nairobi following an appeal to the media.
After singing and lighting candles, they waved Kenyan flags and chanted as they marched past the hospital where some of the injured protesters are being treated.
Demonstrators dispersed peacefully late in the afternoon.
After the protests turned deadly on June 25, Ruto’s administration ultimately withdrew the bill.