Concerns have been expressed by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on the violence that occurred during the demonstrations in Kenya against the Finance Bill 2024.
In a statement released on Wednesday, Guterres pleaded with Kenyan authorities to allow nonviolent protests in order to prevent more injuries and deaths involving 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, I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully,” he said.
Moussa Faki, the chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), reiterated this sentiment, advising all parties involved to remain composed and to embrace productive discourse in order to resolve the divisive problems that sparked 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,” stated Faki.
During Tuesday’s large-scale protests, an unknown number of individuals were shot dead, and many more were left with bullet wounds after Anti-Riot Police Unit officers fired live ammunition.
As of 6:36 p.m. on Tuesday, Amnesty International reported that five people had been shot and killed and over 31 people had been injured.
Most protesters insisted they were marching peacefully, while some broke into Parliament buildings and vandalized the property.
Soon after the mayhem broke out and several protestor bodies were observed lying on Parliament Road, lawmakers were evacuated.
President William Ruto referred to the breach of parliament as treasonous in a late-night national address and vowed to take tough measures against the “organizers and financiers of the protests.”
