In a recent call with President William Ruto, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the importance of accountability for Kenya’s security forces.
The conversation highlighted concerns over police excesses and underscored the need to safeguard the voices of youth, civil society, and the media.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller relayed Blinken’s message.
“In a call with Kenyan President Ruto, Secretary Antony Blinken reiterated the need to defend and protect the voices of youth, civil society, and media. The Secretary also underscored that the security forces need to be held accountable,” Miller wrote on X on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Blinken’s call comes amid growing international scrutiny of Kenya’s handling of the ongoing anti-government protests, which began on June 18, 2024.
On the first day of protests, thousands of Kenyans took to the streets of Nairobi to demonstrate against the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
Protesters urged Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote against the bill, but the lawmakers defied the cries of Kenyans and went ahead to pass it, paving the way for it to reach Ruto’s desk.
Despite Ruto’s failure to sign the Finance Bill 2024 into law and his implementation of changes, including austerity measures and re-organizing his cabinet, the demonstrations continued.
50 dead
At least 50 people have died and 413 others have been injured in the protests since June 18, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Ruto recently criticized police officers for breaches of their constitutional mandate and urged the release of those wrongfully arrested during the protests.
In a national address on Thursday, July 24, 2024, the president acknowledged the nationwide protests that have led to loss of lives and property destruction.
He called on criminal justice officials to release and withdraw charges against innocent people arrested during the protests.
“Unfortunately, there have been many instances of excessive, unlawful, dangerous, and harmful conduct during the demonstrations. Consequently, many persons have been arrested and charged in court with various offenses,” Ruto said.
“I urge the criminal justice agencies to take effective measures to ensure that those innocently caught up in the proceedings and those not implicated in crimes are released, and the charges against them withdrawn.”
Ruto also called for the investigation and prosecution of criminals who exploited the peaceful protests for their own agendas.
“It is important that these suspects are brought to book and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
The Head of State further urged police officers to operate within the confines of the Constitution.
