Charlene Ruto has expressed sympathies with a section of Kenyans in hospital following the violent clashes with the police during the protests.
In a statement on X, Charlene said it was time to heal as a nation from the weeks of protests that rocked the nation over the Finance Bill 2024 and the subsequent anti-government demos.
“I believe it’s time to reflect and heal as a nation as we search our deepest postures of patriotism, forgiveness and integration as one people! God bless Kenya! WE ARE ONE,” Charlene said.
The first daughter noted that the events in the last three weeks had been unfortunate, with the Kenya Human Rights Commission estimating that at least 40 people were killed during the demonstrations.
“It was a very emotional day visiting some young people and members of the public who found themselves as unfortunate victims of the chaos that surfaced in recent days,” Charlene added.
The first daughter also thanked the medical fraternity for offering emergency services during and after the demos.
Charlene thanks medics
“I would like to thank the Kenya Tissue and Transplant Authority, the medical fraternity including MedicsforKE, @kenyanbybloodfoundation, my fellow blood ambassadors and many other teams for collaboratively donating blood needed during this period. I believe it’s time to reflect and heal as a nation as we search our deepest postures of patriotism, forgiveness and integration as one people,” she noted.
During the protests, police officers arrested and lobbed teargas into medical tents erected by medics who volunteered to provide emergency care to protesters.
Similarly, Dr Austin Omondi was abducted while conducting a blood donation drive at the Sikh Union on Forest Road.
“I was abducted incommunicado by the Kenya Police this afternoon and taken in by the NIS while conducting a blood donation drive at the Sikh Union.” The car used was KCU 819H. My family and legal representatives have been denied access to me. I appeal for your support in demanding my immediate release,” Omondi narrated after his release.
The demonstrations hit a climax on June 25, 2024, after a section of the protesting youth overwhelmed rings of security officers guarding the Parliament and accessed the chambers.
Several demonstrators were shot dead during the daring invasion while others were seriously injured in the chaos that ensued.
A charged President William Ruto would later that day send a warning that police officers would pursue the ‘criminals’ who stormed Parliament and destroyed critical government infrastructure.