The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has raised concerns over the violence witnessed during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations in Kenya.
In a statement on Wednesday, Guterres urged Kenyan authorities to pave way for peaceful demonstrations to avert further harm and death of young Kenyans.
“I am deeply saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries – including of journalists and medical personnel – connected to protests and street demonstrations in Kenya,” he said.
“I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully.”
The same was echoed by the African Union Commission (AUC) chairperson Moussa Faki who urged stakeholders to exercise calm and welcome constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues that led to the protests.
“The Chairperson reiterates the total solidarity of the African Union with the Government and People of Kenya and exhorts them to maintain peace, security and stability in the country,” said Faki.
An unconfirmed number of people were shot dead during Tuesday’s mass protests and many were left nursing gunshot wounds after Anti-Riot Police Unit (ATPU) officers opened live rounds of ammunition.
Amnesty International said that over 31 people were injured and five people were shot dead as at 6:36pm on Tuesday.
Protesters breached Parliament buildings and vandalised the premises while the majority maintained that they were marching peacefully.
Parliamentarians were evacuated soon after the chaos erupted as countable bodies of the protesters were seen lying on Parliament Road.
In a late-night national address, President William Ruto described the breach of parliament as treasonous, vowing to crack down on the ‘organisers and financiers of the protests.
According to President Ruto, it is inconceivable that “criminals posing as peaceful protesters” can terrorise people, elected representatives, and institutions and expect to get away with it.
“We must isolate crime from democratic expression and separate criminals from people exercising their freedom of expression and divergent opinion,” he added.
