On Wednesday, June 26, President William Ruto’s administration came under fire from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres for employing excessive force against nonviolent protestors.
The UN chief denounced the violence and charged the government of failing to protect its citizens while they exercised their democratic rights in a succinct statement.
As a result of the Tuesday demonstrations, reports of deaths and injuries surfaced, which pained Guterres greatly.
He also denounced the Kenyan security forces for venting their fury on reporters and even the medical staff who were treating the wounded.
Guterres ordered the administration to desist from randomly shooting nonviolent protesters after the sad event.
However, Guterres urged protestors to engage in nonviolent protests.
“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 occur peacefully,” read the statement.
Through Stephane Dujarric, the UN Secretary-General’s spokesperson, the UN also demanded that the persons accountable for the deaths of many protestors be held accountable and that investigations into their deaths be conducted.
Hours after thirteen embassies denounced the government for brutally suppressing the Anti-Finance Bill demonstrators, Guterres made her statement.
Following the shooting of about eight Kenyans outside parliament buildings, the embassies of the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Romania and Belgium accused Ruto’s administration of violating human rights.
“All actors have the responsibility to respect, uphold, promote and fulfil the principles of democracy and the rule of law, particularly by ensuring a proportionate security response,” read part of the statement by the embassies.
“We are deeply concerned by the violence witnessed in many parts of the country during the recent protests and are especially shocked by the scenes witnessed outside the Kenyan Parliament,” a joint statement read.
