UN Urges Police to Safeguard Azimio Protesters Next Week
On Friday, July 14, the United Nations (UN) criticized the National Police Service (NPS) for using excessive force against anti-government protesters demonstrating against the high cost of living, and requested that the police safeguard the demonstrators the following week.
Jeremy Laurence, a spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Office, stated that at least 23 people were killed by police while calling on anti-riot police officers to apply the law uniformly and safeguard demonstrators.
The number of fatalities reported by the United Nations agency is greater than that of the Kenyan government.
UN has also emphasized that Kenyans have the right to protest and that the National Police Service is responsible for protecting demonstrators and their property.
“In light of calls for additional protests next week, we call on the authorities to ensure the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Constitution of Kenya and international human rights law,” the United Nations stated.
“Protest policing must facilitate civil assemblies, and any use of force must adhere to the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination. Never use firearms to disperse demonstrations.”
There have been reports that the police have used excessive force against unarmed protesters across the country, including in Nairobi, where at least six people have been slain.
“We demand prompt, exhaustive, impartial, and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries,” Those accountable must be held accountable. “Effective measures must be taken to prevent further deaths and injuries,” stated the United Nations.
After Azimio la Umoja leader Raila Odinga called for additional protests in the coming days, UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence noted that the country was confronting uncertain times.
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He demanded that the government resolve the issues raised and establish mechanisms to ensure the peace and safety of all, including those exercising their constitutionally protected rights to protest, demonstrate, and picket.
He echoed the demands of religious leaders and the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which urged President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to resolve contentious issues including the Finance Act 2023, the high cost of living, and the re-establishment of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
The UN requested in a statement, “We appeal for calm and encourage open dialogue to address social, economic, and political grievances, to identify lasting solutions in the interests of all Kenyans.”
Minutes after the United Nations issued its statement, the leader of Azimio la Umoja and former governor of Murang’a, Mwangi wa Iria, stated that the protests would continue until the Kenya Kwanza government listened to and addressed the concerns of the people.
The UN’s statement comes against the backdrop of a call for additional protests that will begin on Wednesday, July 19, and continue through Friday, July 21 to convince President Ruto to reverse his position on the Finance Act 2023, among other issues.
“The Coalition wishes to announce a change to the schedule. By public requests for three days of activity, the nonviolent demonstrations will now take place on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of the following week, according to a statement from Azimio la Umoja.
UN Urges Police to Safeguard Azimio Protesters Next Week
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