CS Mutua Slams UN: Protest Deaths Miscounted
Foreign Affairs CS Alfred Mutua lambasted the international world on Wednesday, accusing it of meddling in Kenya’s internal affairs and inflating the protest death toll.
The conflict was precipitated by a United Nations statement claiming that 23 Kenyans had died in the ongoing anti-government rallies.
In a statement issued on Friday, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said that 23 people had died and hundreds had been injured in recent protests.
Mutuarejected the statement, accusing the UN spokesman of disseminating “propaganda” and acting impolitely.
In a press conference on Wednesday, he did not reveal his total of killings at the hands of police and others.
According to local media accounts, at least nine persons were slain by police last week, with at least two more killed on Wednesday this week.
Mutua also claimed that there was no “widespread violence” and that police did not use “disproportionate force,” despite the deaths.
“It is thus regrettable that the UN stated protests in some parts of Kenya, alleging ‘widespread violence’ and ‘unnecessary or disproportionate use of force,'” Mutua added.
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“He [Laurence] claimed that 23 people were killed and dozens were injured during the protests.” “This statement was not only incorrect, but also misleading, and appeared to have been written in support of propaganda campaigns by people opposed to the democratic will of the people,” Mutua stated.
The Azimio Coalition organized the ongoing protests around the country to oppose the high cost of living and the ‘punitive’ Finance Act 2023, which has been suspended by the courts.
The OHCHR denounced what it called the disproportionate use of force by police last week, and Laurence said the officers should be held accountable.
“We demand prompt, comprehensive, independent, and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries.” “Those who are responsible must be held accountable,” he stated.
Laurence has urged the Kenya Kwanza government to allow Kenyans to use their rights by Article 37 of the Constitution.
“Everyone has the right to assemble, demonstrate, picket, and present petitions to public authorities in a peaceful and unarmed manner,” he stated, quoting the Constitution.
According to the spokeswoman, police should never use live ammunition to disperse demonstrators.
“The policing of protests must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies, and any use of force must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality, and non-discrimination,” he added.
Mutua denounced as ‘untrue’ suggestions that the international community is mediating between President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga in his statement.
Mutua, on the other hand, stated that it is just concerned about and “watching” the current situation in the country.
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“Our international friends are not involved in any mediation process, but they are watching what is happening,” Mutua explained.
His reaction came a day after Russia accused certain Western countries of interfering in Kenyan affairs.
“What is it if not meddling in internal affairs?” According to a statement issued by Russia’s embassy in Nairobi.
This comes after 13 ambassadors stated their willingness to assist the two sides’ efforts to find constructive and peaceful solutions to the crisis.
The envoys said in a joint statement released Tuesday that they are saddened by the deaths and worried about the high levels of violence that have characterized previous anti-government protests, including the use of live ammunition.
“We recognize the daily hardships that many Kenyans face and urge all parties to bring their concerns to the table through meaningful dialogue and peacefully resolve their differences to build the nation together while ensuring no further loss of life,” the envoys stated.
The countries, which included the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia, released a unified statement in response to the Azimio protests.
Mutua further stated that Azimio’s goal is to seize control of the government.
He asked Azimio leaders to engage in discussion and end the protests.
“We had a well-recognized democratic dialogue system that was working very well at Parliament where leaders sit and talk,” he explained.
“This isn’t about individuals; it’s about government, and we have opposition and elected leaders, but Azimio walked out because it doesn’t achieve their goal, which is to take over the government.” Their purpose is to stage a coup and enter the country through the backdoor.”
CS Mutua Slams UN: Protest Deaths Miscounted
