AUC chair urges calmness in Kenya, calls for no further violence

Addis Ababa, June 26, 2024 (FBC) – The Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called for calmness over latest situation in Kenya and urged stakeholders to refrain from further violence, amid the ongoing anti-Finance Bill protests.

In a statement issued late last night, the AUC Chairperson stated that he is following with deep concern the outbreaks of violence following public protests in Kenya, which has resulted in loss of life and damage to property.

“The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and refrain from further violence. The Chairperson also appeals to national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues that led to the protests in the supreme interest of Kenya,” the statement noted.

The Chairperson reiterated the total solidarity of the African Union with the Government and People of Kenya and exhorts them to maintain peace, security and stability in the country.

Earlier on Tuesday, the United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that he was saddened by reports of deaths and injuries that occurred during the protests.

The UN chief went on to appeal to the Kenya government to exercise restraint when dealing with anti-Finance Bill protesters.

According to reports from local media, Tuesday’s protests were the most heated since they began, on June 18.

The protesters, mainly youths, stormed the streets to demand the rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024, in countrywide demos that also rocked President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s home turfs.

Gunshots, tears and running battles marked the demos even as the MPs voted to amend various clauses fronted by the National Assembly’s Finance Committee.

The reports noted that MPs eventually passed the Bill.

Transport was paralysed and business premises closed hurriedly as gunshots and tear gas rent the air in major towns across the country.

Ruto’s hometown, Eldoret, in Uasin Gishu County and Gachagua’s Nyeri town in Nyeri County, witnessed massive protests for the second time in as many weeks.

The youths overpowered anti-riot police, forcefully stormed Parliament and tried to set it ablaze on a day of chaos and bloodletting as anti-tax law demos swept the country.

Police reportedly fired bullets, killing an unknown number of people as MPs fled the rowdy mobs.