Kenyan President William Ruto has clarified that he was not part of those switching off the internet during the protests.

Addressing a gathering in Mombasa, the president said that he was not at all involved in switching off the internet, as many are claiming, and despite being in the position and having the power to do so, he did not do so because he is a great believer in the constitution and free media.

“Let me also say the following: I am a great believer in the constitution, and I will protect it.“

The President went ahead, issuing an example of Bangladesh as one of the countries that did the opposite by switching off the internet and TV, but as for him, he did not do so because he believes in freedom of speech and knows Kenya is a democratic country.

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“Many countries that have gone through what Kenya has gone through in Bangladesh, for example, switched off the internet, switched off the TVs, and did whatever they did. Kenya is running full steam, the internet is available every day, and the TV has four screens, showing what is happening in Kondele, Sijui, and where. What further freedom would you ask from me?

I have the machinery to switch them off. I did not switch them off because I am a great believer in the constitution and free media. That is why the media can do as they please, go out there, demonstrate, call me names, and do whatever they want.” Ruto said.

The President, who reinstated that it doesn’t really bother him that the media at times does what it pleases, added that it is what freedom and democracy are about.