Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has called for peace amid the current protest against the Finance Bills 2024, which saw protesters breaking into the National Assembly.

In a statement to newsrooms, Uhuru, while grieving the death of Kenyans slain during the protests, emphasized the significance of elected leaders listening to their voters.

PHOTO | COURTESY Former President Uhuru Kenyatta

“At this trying time, 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 principles of our constitution and in the very basis of philosophy and democracy,” he said.

"Leaders must understand that the public gave them the power and authority they have. I thus ask for calm and the leadership to demonstrate.

According to Uhuru, the government should neither use force nor be hostile to Kenyans exercising their constitutional right to peaceful protest.

PHOTO | COURTESY Former President Uhuru Kenyatta and president Ruto

“Violence on either side is not the answer. As your former President, I have felt the weight and difficulty of leading Kenya I therefore pray for wisdom and civility to be established and for peace and progress to belong to all of us as children of Kenya,” he said.

Uhuru asked the governing administration to engage in discussion with Kenyans.

“I pray for understanding on the part of each and every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed,” said Uhuru.