Twelve embassies in Kenya have called on President William Ruto’s government to respect the rights of citizens to protest and speak freely.
This comes just before a planned protest on Wednesday meant to honour over 60 people who were killed and hundreds injured during last year’s demonstrations against the Finance Bill that proposed higher taxes. The protests, which began in June and stretched into July 2024, were some of the largest and most emotional Kenya had seen in years.
In a statement released on Tuesday, ambassadors and high commissioners from Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Australia, Switzerland, Norway, Canada, the UK, the US, Sweden, and Finland urged for peaceful demonstrations and cautioned against any form of violence.
They reminded the Kenyan government that using plain-clothed officers in unmarked vehicles to arrest people is illegal, based on a ruling from the High Court, and asked for this to stop immediately.
The diplomats also criticized the use of gangs or hired groups to disrupt peaceful protests. They pointed to recent incidents in Nairobi where youth armed with clubs attacked protesters and even robbed innocent people during demonstrations held after the suspicious death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang while in police custody. Such actions, they said, go against democratic values and must not be allowed to continue.
Their statement highlighted that allowing people to protest peacefully is key to keeping civic space open and maintaining a healthy democracy. They also called for a quick and thorough investigation into the violence reported during previous protests, especially those targeting peaceful demonstrators.
Statement from Foreign embassies in Nairobi.
During the protests on June 25, 2024, a large crowd of young protesters managed to enter Parliament buildings as MPs were discussing the controversial Finance Bill, which was later withdrawn.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights confirmed that at least 60 people died during those protests and the unrest that followed. They also recorded 1,376 unlawful arrests between June 18 and November 20. In addition, 610 people suffered serious injuries, including bullet wounds, broken bones, soft tissue damage, and the effects of tear gas. The commission also noted that 25 police officers were injured.
As the anniversary protest approaches, police have promised to protect both those who join the protest and those who do not. Nairobi Regional Police Commander George Seda called on protesters to remain peaceful and not to interfere with others. He said the police are ready and will ensure law and order is maintained.
This growing international attention places more pressure on the Kenyan government to uphold basic rights and stop the violence that has tainted previous protests.
