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.

The death toll from Kenya’s latest anti-government protest has surged to 31, according to the state-funded human rights commission. Monday's protest marked the highest single-day toll since