Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga has criticized the government’s handling of the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests in the country.
In a statement on Tuesday evening, Odinga called on the government to suspend the Finance Bill and accused the government of brutality and murder against peaceful demonstrators.
Further, he said the country is paying a “steep price for the government's obstinacy” following Tuesday's events.
“Matters that should have been resolved through dialogue and humility have degenerated into developments that have never been witnessed in the 61-year history of our country since Independence.”
His statement came after at least five deaths were reported due to clashes between protesters and security forces.
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“I am disturbed at the murders, arrests, detentions, and surveillance being perpetrated by police on boys and girls who are only seeking to be heard over taxation policies that are stealing both their present and future.”
Additionally, he criticized the government for what he termed as the supposed suspension of constitutional rights, citing murders, arrests, and detentions during the demonstrations.
“The constitution seems to have been suspended. We cannot allow that. The government has unleashed brute force on our country's children and more seems to be on the way.”
He reiterated his call to suspend the Finance Bill 2024, noting that the grievances and frustrations of those protesting run extremely deep and wide.
"Police must therefore immediately stop shooting innocent, peaceful and unarmed protesting children who are asking for guarantees of a better tomorrow from the State."
Nevertheless, he appealed to regional and global bodies, including the East African Community, the African Union, and the United Nations, to intervene and address what he described as a crisis endangering lives and freedoms in Kenya.
"I am calling on the East African Community, the African Union and the United Nations to immediately be seized of the unfolding situation in Kenya to save lives and the country."
