NAIROBI, Kenya -- Kenya’s president on Wednesday broke his silence on recent anti-government protests that left dozens dead, urging police to “break the legs" of those who stole and burned property during the demonstrations.

Simmering anger against President William Ruto’s government has boiled over into clashes between protesters and the police, who have deployed live rounds, tear gas and water cannons.

Kenyan police opened fire on a crowd of advancing protesters in Nairobi on Monday, a Reuters reporter said, as scattered demonstrations broke out across the country to mark the 35th anniversary of pro-democracy rallies.