By JULIUS MBALUTO
Kenya's fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for calm after destruction and loss of life following the protests against Finance Bill 2024.
"My fellow Kenyans, I come to you with a heavy heart saddened by the loss of life occasioned by the situation prevailing in our country. It's the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined by the constitution promulgated in 2010. It's also the duty of the leader to listen to those they lead. At this trying time for our country , I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people. Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and the philosophy of democracy. Leader must know that power and authority they have is donated to them by the people. And therefore call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not to be antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer. "
This comes after protest over the controversial Finance bill saw demonstrator clash with the police resulting to deaths of five people. During the protest Parliament was set on Fire, The Supreme Court building, City Hall and other places houses and businesses belonging to MPs who voted for the bill. After passing the controversial bill, some MPs took shelter in the parliament basement.
The day was marked with sounds of gun shots and teargas. The burning and clash between the police and protesters took place in many cities and towns across Kenya. President Ruto has blamed the clashes and destruction on criminals who he calls terrorists.
Earlier today, the leader of Majority in National Assembly Kimani Ichungwa tabled a motion seeking to legally ratify government's decision to deploy Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) officers to tackle protesters.
"THAT, pursuant to Article 241(3)(c) of the Constitution and sections 31(1)(b), 31(1)(c) and 32 of the Kenya Defence Forces Act, Cap. 199, this House accedes to the request of the Defence Council dated 26th June 2024 and, in the interest of national security, approves the deployment of the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) in support of the National Police Service in various parts of the Republic of Kenya affected by ongoing violent protests that have caused destruction to critical infrastructure until normalcy is restored," read the motion in part.
Kenya Defence CS Aden Duale said the deployment was necessary to curtail rogue protesters. Kenyans accused the state of deploying military to handle unarmed protesters. Kenyans argued that KDF should only be deployed during state of emergencies or disaster, to restore peace.
