PRESS STATEMENT
CALL FOR ACCOUNTABILITY IN RESPONSE TO THE REJECT FINANCE BILL 2024 PROTESTS REPRESSION
Led primarily by young Kenyans, who have used livestreaming to broadcast the events, the protests against proposed tax hikes have been fueled by widespread discontent with President William Samoei Ruto’s economic policies.
Thursday’s demonstrations in Nairobi were predominantly peaceful.
However, law enforcement officers resorted to firing tear gas and deploying water cannons throughout the day in an effort to disperse protesters near the parliament building.
Tragically, a 21-year-old protester, Evans Kiratu, was struck by a tear gas canister during the demonstrations. The families of Emmanuel Giggs Tata and Josh Ombati have also reported to HAKI Africa the injustices committed to their kins. These incidents underscore a concerning pattern of excessive force used by police against peaceful protesters.
As HAKI Africa, we firmly demand that the police refrain from using excessive force against peaceful demonstrators. We call for the officer responsible for this extrajudicial act to be held accountable and face the full extent of the law. The right to peaceful assembly is enshrined in our constitution, and any violations of this right must be addressed with urgency and justice.