NAIROBI – The Kenya Kwanza Administration is moving to protect its image internationally, as the opposition sustains anti-governmental protests.
Through a press briefing on Wednesday, Foreign Affairs Minister Alfred Mutua said since coming to power in September 2022, the government has position Kenya as preferred destination for trade, investment and tourism. However, he said, the efforts are being derailed by the opposition leaders, who termed “economic saboteurs” through disguised protests against the cost of living.
“The economy and the people of Kenya are the ultimate victims of the so called ‘maandamano.’ We need to stabilize our economy, create new jobs and opportunities for our young population. This will only happen under a secure and stable environment devoid of propaganda and political opportunism,” Mutua said.
Reacting to a statement he termed as unfortunate by the Spokesperson of the Office of the United Nations Human Rights on July 14, Mutua said the alleged ‘widespread violence’ and ‘unnecessary or disproportionate use of force’ by police as well as the claim 23 people had been killed and dozens injured in the protests was inaccurate and misleading.
“This statement … appeared to have been written in support of a propaganda campaigns by people opposed to the democratic will of the people. The Ministry has protested to the office of the Spokesperson on his unsubstantiated statement. We will be engaging through appropriate channels to ensure that the international community is not sucked into conspiracies that are aimed at destablising our nation,” the minister said.
Spokesperson Jeremy Laurance on July 14 issued a statement condemning the violence, expressing concern over “allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including the use of firearms, by police”.
“We call for prompt, thorough, independent, and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries”, Laurence said, adding that, “Those responsible must be held to account. Effective measures to prevent further deaths and injuries must be adopted.”
While Laurence noted that the right to peaceful demonstration is guaranteed under Kenya’s constitution, Mutua termed the demos as violent actions by a few paid goons, who have been politically instigated by “known architects of violence”, in reference to Azimio leader Raila Odinga, and therefore cannot be categorized as peaceful assembly as alleged by the spokesperson.
“Far from it, what we have witnessed are violent protests with those involved carrying all manner of crude weapons. We have seen goons destroy a highway with no police around. These violent demonstrators have attacked innocent members of the public, looted and destroyed private property, attacked and injured police officers who were on duty to ensure law and order,” he said.
The Minister questioned why is the UN Human Right Spokesperson was blind to the violence and destruction, asking whether the UN office had fallen prey to propaganda and being used to lay ground for a smear campaign.
At least six people were killed last Friday during protests called for by Raila, with medical sources the number was higher than 10.
On Wednesday, the first day of the three-day demos called by the opposition, four people were shot in Nakuru county, Nakuru West, while another sustained and one other cut wounds.
Nakuru Referral Hospital Medical Superintendent Dr. James Waweru confirmed that four sustained gunshot wounds – two in the abdomen, one in the chest and another one in the leg. Two other people sustained gunshot wounds in Migori County, where one was shot in the thigh while the other has been shot in the leg.
Mutua called on international allies to “scrutinize the architects of insurrection and anti-democratic elements when they wish to visit their countries and not to allow some of them to go and taint their democratic principles”.
