Kenya’s President William Ruto has called the ongoing protests in the country “treasonable” and has brought in the military to stop them.

A controversial finance bill has led to nationwide protests, with young people leading the charge. On June 26, protesters broke into the parliament, tearing down flags, flipping chairs and tables, seizing the ceremonial mace, and setting part of the assembly on fire. Lawmakers had to escape through an underground tunnel for their safety.

Protesters also looted shops and clubs linked to Members of Parliament. Police tried to stop them by firing live bullets and tear gas in Nairobi. They also beat and arrested paramedics who were helping injured protesters. Despite this, the protesters say they will not stop until their demands are met.

In a national address, Ruto called Tuesday’s events a serious threat to “national security” and said that the protests had been taken over by dangerous people.

Ruto stated, “It is not acceptable for criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters to terrorize people, elected representatives, and constitutional institutions and expect no consequences.”

He emphasized the need to separate democratic expression from criminal activity and promised that the state would respond fully to the situation. After his speech, Aden Duale, the cabinet secretary for defense, announced that the Kenyan Defence Forces (KDF) had been deployed to support the police on the streets.