In Summary:
1) UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and AUC Chairperson Moussa Faki express concerns over violence in Kenya.
2) President William Ruto vows to address the breach of Parliament during the protests.
An unspecified number of people were reported shot dead during Tuesday’s mass protests, with many sustaining gunshot wounds after Anti-Riot Police Unit (ATPU) officers fired live ammunition.
Amnesty International reported that over 31 people were injured and five were shot dead as of 6:36 PM on Tuesday.
Protesters breached the Parliament buildings, causing vandalism, while the majority insisted they were marching peacefully.
The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, has expressed serious concern over the violence that erupted during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests in Kenya.
In a statement on Wednesday, Guterres called on Kenyan authorities to allow peaceful demonstrations to prevent further harm and fatalities, especially among the youth.
“I am deeply saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries – including those of journalists and medical personnel – linked to the protests and street demonstrations in Kenya,” he stated.
“I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully.”
In a late-night national address, President William Ruto condemned the breach of Parliament, describing it as treasonous, and vowed to take action against the organizers and financiers of the protests.
“It is inconceivable that criminals posing as peaceful protesters can terrorize 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,” President Ruto declared.
The African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson, Moussa Faki, echoed similar sentiments, urging all stakeholders to remain calm and engage in constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues fueling 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,” Faki stated.
Parliamentarians were evacuated shortly after the chaos ensued, with several protesters’ bodies seen lying on Parliament Road.