U.S Embassy urges Kenyans, police to shun violence during protests
![U.S Embassy urges Kenyans, police to shun violence during protests U.S Embassy urges Kenyans, police to shun violence during protests](https://citizentv.obs.af-south-1.myhuaweicloud.com/127898/conversions/US-Embassy-og_image.webp)
File image of the U.S Embassy in Nairobi. PHOTO | COURTESY
The United States Embassy to Kenya is now
urging both police and protesters to shun violence during the ongoing wave of
anti-government demonstrations witnessed across the country over the last two months.
The Embassy, in a statement released on
Thursday evening, told the police to exercise restraint while executing their
mandate, keeping in mind that the law allows citizens the right to picket peacefully.
It also, on the other hand, urged Kenyans who
have been taking to the streets to do so without chaos and shun such criminal activities as looting other people’s properties and barricading roads in the
process.
“The Embassy urges police to exercise
restraint and protect the rights of people to demonstrate peacefully,” read the
statement.
“We call on provocateurs and opportunists to
avoid blocking roads and looting businesses. All actors - police and protesters
alike - should repudiate violence and be held accountable for wrongdoing.”
The Embassy expressed regret over the
escalating violence during the protests and the subsequent loss of lives, with
the number of deaths rising to 53 following the Tuesday demonstrations.
It called for constructive engagement between
citizens and the civil society, aided by a free and independent media, to
protect democracy.
“As we enter the fifth week of protests
throughout Kenya and surpass 50 protest-related deaths, the Embassy of the
United States of America notes with profound regret the loss of life and
destruction of people's livelihoods and calls on all actors to remain peaceful
and respect the rule of law,” the statement added.
“We are deeply concerned by reports of
violence, including shootings and abductions of protestors, journalists, and
others.”
Reflecting on the long-standing relationship
between the United States and Kenya, the Embassy noted the Kenyan government's
recent remarks on addressing public grievances.
“As a long-time friend and partner to Kenya,
the Embassy notes the government's July 18 remarks about addressing public
grievances and encourages the government to continue taking steps forward,
including on corruption and accountability, to promote national unity and
reconciliation,” it stated.
“As both of our countries strive to build
stronger democracies that deliver peace and prosperity for our citizens, this
is an important moment for all Kenyans to demonstrate the democratic values we
share.”
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