Legion Maria Episcopal Conference has questioned President William Ruto’s response to the protests witnessed across the country on Tuesday.
Secretary general Rt. Rev. Wycliffe Nyaperah said it was surprising that the President mentioned nothing about the contentious Finance Bill, 2024.
“Precious lives were lost during the demonstrations on Tuesday. This is a big concern for us the clergy. We ask the President to listen to his people,” he said.
Nyaperah said great leaders listen more and follow the heart of their subjects.
“We also ask him not to deploy the military against the protesters who elected him. He is the father of the nation and should embrace the people,” he said.
Nyaperah said the President too should reject the finance bill in solidarity with the people of Kenya.
The church said it is opposed to the current turn of events that were witnessed during Tuesday’s demonstrations in Nairobi and other parts of the country.
“We hold a firm stand that this was unprecedented, unwarranted, unlawful, and inhuman in all its forms on the way the Kenyan police handled protesters,” Nyaperah added.
He said Kenya has been drawn back to the dark era of irrational rogue police ready to harm and maim anyone standing in their way.
“This is not justifiable at all. As a church, we have always taught that life is sacred. It needs to be taken care of and not destroyed. Only God can give and take life,” he stated.
He added that the rights and freedoms of Kenyans were infringed by the government when police who were sent to provide security to the peaceful demonstrators turned violent themselves.
“The people have always spoken and expressed themselves over this matter of the Finance Bill 2024, but the government chose and has adamantly chosen to be mute and negligent over the people’s voices. We feel this is not just,” he stated.
Legion Maria said it stands with Kenyans who have lost their loved ones and those who suffered injuries or have been affected by police brutality.
