US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has called President William Ruto to discuss the security situation in Kenya following widespread protests over the Finance Bill, 2024.
On Wednesday, June 26, President William Ruto said he had conceded to public demand and would not be signing the Bill into law.
“Having reflected on the continuing conversation around the content of the Finance Bill, 2024, I will decline to assent to the Bill,” President Ruto said in a televised address to the country. “I also propose that within 14 days, a multi-sectoral, multi-stakeholder engagement be held with a view to charting the way forward on matters relating to the content of the Bill.
A day later, US Secretary Blinken reached out to President Ruto to discuss the steps he had taken to reduce tensions and pledging to engage in dialogue with the protestors and civil society.
“The Secretary underscored the importance of security forces demonstrating restraint and refraining from violence and encouraged prompt investigations into allegations of human rights abuses,” his spokesman, Mr Mathew Miller, said in a press statement.
“The Secretary welcomed President Ruto’s commitment to Kenyans’ constitutionally-endowed rights, including peaceful assembly and due process for those detained. The Secretary reiterated the partnership of the United States with Kenya’s government and people as they work to address their economic challenges”.
By Thursday, however, soldiers were seen patrolling parts of the city and its outskirts following threats by Gen Z demonstrators to march to State House, Nairobi. A High Court in Nairobi was also set to give directions on the legality of the deployment of the military to quell the protests that had claimed at least 16 lives by Wednesday.
Email your news TIPS to Editor@nairobilawmonthly.com, and to advertise with us, call +254715061658 anytime of the day
