US gov't calls President Ruto over Kenyan police violence

United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken has emphasized that Kenyan police need to exercise restraint and refrain from using violence on demonstrators protesting the Finance Bill 2024.

The spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, Mathew Miller on Wednesday said Blinken had a phone call with President William Ruto, in which he noted a need to reduce tension in the country.

“In a call with Kenyan President Ruto, Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of reducing tensions and ensuring security services demonstrate restraint and refrain from violence,” Miller said in an X post at 12:55 a.m. Thursday East African Time (Wednesday 2:55 p.m. Pacific Time).

“The U.S. will remain a steadfast partner of Kenya’s government and people as they address economic challenges.”

In a call with Kenyan President Ruto, @SecBlinken emphasized the importance of reducing tensions and ensuring security services demonstrate restraint and refrain from violence. The U.S. will remain a steadfast partner of Kenya’s government and people as they address economic…

While it is not clear when Ruto spoke to Blinken, the president some minutes to 5 p.m. on Wednesday announced he would not sign the contentious Bill after mounting public pressure.

In a televised address, Ruto said he chose not to assent to the proposed law but referred it back to Parliament with his reservations, proposing the deletion of all clauses.

The Bill proposed increased taxation as Ruto’s government sought to raise an additional Ksh.346.7 billion in revenue for the 2024/25 budget.

Peaceful youth-led demonstrations against it have however turned deadly as police fire live bullets and tear gas canisters at protesters.

The death toll on Wednesday stood at 22, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, which said over 300 others were injured and 50 more arrested.

Following Ruto’s announcement that he would not assent to the 2024 Finance Bill, a section of demonstrators on social media said they were still prepared to resume protests Thursday in solidarity with those police killed.