EAST AFRICAN NEWS
Amidst the turmoil and bloodshed that has gripped the nation, former President Uhuru Kenyatta has issued a heartfelt appeal for calm and restraint, urging leaders to engage in dialogue with the people and address their grievances. Kenyatta’s words are a poignant expression of his deep concern for the welfare of his fellow citizens, as he mourns the loss of precious lives lost in the chaos.
In stark contrast, current President William Ruto has taken a hardline stance, labeling the protesters as criminals and adopting a tone that is both divisive and inflammatory. The stark difference in tone between the two leaders highlights the deepening rift in the country’s political landscape, as Kenya grapples with the consequences of Monday’s violent unrest.
In a poignant call to leadership, former President Uhuru Kenyatta issued a statement Monday evening, reminding his fellow leaders that their sacred duty is to listen to the voices of those they serve. With a deep sense of empathy and understanding, Kenyatta emphasized that the role of leadership is not to dictate, but to hear the concerns, hopes, and dreams of the people. His words served as a powerful reminder that true leadership is about servantship, not power, and that the greatest leaders are those who amplify the voices of their people, rather than silencing them.
With a heart weighed down by the turmoil that has engulfed our beloved nation, I come to you today to issue a solemn reminder. In this moment of great trial and testing, I implore all leaders to recall the sacred trust that has been placed in them. We were chosen by the people, to serve the people, and it is our duty to heed their cries, to feel their pain, and to respond to their needs. Let us not forget that our power is not our own, but a sacred entrustment from those who have placed their faith in us. May we honor that trust, and may we work together to build a brighter future for all Kenyans.
The obligation to listen to the people is not a discretionary act of benevolence, but a sacred responsibility etched into the very fabric of our constitution and the foundational principles of democracy. It is a fundamental tenet of our republic, a promise made to the people that their voices will be heard, their concerns will be addressed, and their welfare will be prioritized. To ignore this mandate is to betray the trust of the people, to undermine the foundations of our democracy, and to forsake the very essence of leadership.
Here are some of the key points about the Kenya protests:
The protests were initially peaceful, but police responded with tear gas and gunfire, with at least 13 people killed and hundreds injured.
The protesters are demanding the withdrawal of the Finance Bill 2024, which proposes significant tax hikes.
The government has partially retreated, dropping some proposals, but the protests continue.
The internet has been shut down, and there are reports of abductions and intimidation of protest leaders.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called for three days of anti-government protests starting June 26.
The protests have drawn international attention, with the US and UN expressing concern over the violence.
The protests in Kenya have taken a tragic turn, with at least five young people confirmed killed in the violence. The Gen-Z banner, symbolizing the youthful demographic driving the movement, has become a rallying cry for those demanding change. The protesters, largely in their 20s, have shown determination and bravery in the face of adversity, storming the parliament building and setting it ablaze.
Their actions are a testament to their frustration and desperation for a better future. The authorities’ response has been heavy-handed, with reports of excessive force and brutality. The international community is watching with concern, urging restraint and dialogue. The fate of Kenya’s democracy and the future of its youth hang in the balance.
They also set the Uganda House, the seat of the Uganda high commission in Nairobi, on fire, damaging the first floor before the fire was contained. The latest round of anti-government protests in Kenya was scheduled after tax hikes added to the soaring cost of living.
The protests are against a new finance bill, which introduced a 1.5 percent housing levy, a 16 percent tax on petroleum products, and a 16 percent value-added tax (VAT) on money that policyholders receive as compensation from insurance companies.
The bill was signed into law on June 26, but the High Court later extended an order barring the implementation of the bill. Despite this, the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority increased fuel prices, triggering an increase in public transport costs.
The price increases are from 182.04 shillings ($1.29) to 195.53 shillings ($1.38) per liter of petrol, 164.28 shillings ($1.16) to 176.67 shillings ($1.25) for a liter of diesel, and from 161.48 shillings ($1.14) to 173.44 shillings ($1.22) per liter of kerosene. At least 23 people were killed by the police and dozens were injured in the protests in the past week.
But immediate former president Kenyatta, who scaled the steps of the State House holding hands with current leader William Ruto, said leaders must know that power and authority they have is donated to them by the people. “I therefore call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them,” he said.
“Violence on either side is not the answer.” In 2013, Kenyatta was elected as the 4th President of Kenya under The National Alliance, which was part of the Jubilee Alliance with his running mate William Ruto’s United Republican Party. But the two fell out by the end of their second term, with Kenyatta dramatically backing Raila Odinga’s fifth attempt at the presidency against Ruto in 2022.
Kenyatta said he was only fully aware of the weight and difficulty of leading Kenya. “I therefore pray for wisdom and civility to be established and for peace and progress to belong to all of us as children of Kenya,” he added. With emphasis, he said the current leadership must speak to the people and not “at the people”
Mr Kenyatta’s statement was released shortly after President Ruto addressed the nation and called the protesters “criminals”. With some of the security officers accused of abductions and preseason, President Ruto said he thanked officers who were on duty today for applying themselves to the best of their abilities in the defence of Kenya and its people.
“I have directed all organs of our national security to thwart any attempt by criminals to undermine the security and stability of Kenya,” he said. Ruto has previously played macho when Mr Odinga ran his government rugged with protests before caving in and handing his presidential rival a piece of the cake. It remains unclear if he will have the mettle and fortitude to test the fearless young protesters if they returned to the streets again.
