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President William Ruto addressed the nation on Tuesday from State House, describing the widespread protests as “treasonous events.” The President condemned the demonstrators, claiming that the protests had been “hijacked by planners, financiers, and orchestrators of violence and anarchy,” whom he sternly put “on notice.”
Meanwhile, Aden Duale, the Cabinet Secretary for Defence, announced the deployment of the military across the country to handle what he described as a “security emergency,” triggered by the ongoing violent demonstrations. The unrest, he noted, had already resulted in tragic losses, including lives and significant property damage.
However, precise details on casualties remain unclear; numerous injured protesters were being treated at the Kenyatta National Hospital.
“We started receiving casualties from the demonstration in CBD from around noon. So far we have received 45, seven being female with different kinds of injuries. Treatment and surgeries for the casualties is ongoing. We have had no mortalities from the demonstration so far,” the hospital stated on its X account.
In contrast to the government’s stringent response, former President Uhuru Kenyatta appealed for calm and urged current leaders to adhere more closely to democratic principles.
“I come to you with a heavy heart saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in the country. It is the right of Kenyans to protest as determined by the Constitution of Kenya 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead,” Uhuru said.
He emphasized that leadership is a responsibility entrusted by the people, not a power to be wielded at their expense. He called for a return to dialogue and a greater respect for the voices of the citizens.
“I pray for peace and understanding on the part of each and every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed,” the ex president said.
Kenya’s Catholic bishops also issued a statement highlighting the deep societal wounds inflicted by escalating living costs. They pleaded with President Ruto to genuinely address the grievances of the populace.
They condemned the disproportionate use of force by law enforcement. The bishops said they were “saddened” by the fact that legal demonstrations degenerated into violent conflict.
“We earnestly appeal to the police not to shoot the protesters… Being police does not give one to take away innocent lives,” the bishops said. “We decry and condemn in the strongest terms the use of force by the police, the arrests and the indiscriminate and unnecessary use of live bullets.”
The bishops also asked the young people to remain peaceful. “While we commend you for being proactive, we would like to warn you that protests in themselves will not solve the problem of government insensitivity to issues.”
The origins of the unrest trace back to a controversial finance bill passed earlier this week, which introduced several tax hikes.
Although the government withdrew some of the most contentious measures, such as taxes on basic essentials like bread and cooking oil, public anger remained unassuaged.
The international community also weighed in, with a collective of ambassadors and high commissioners from countries including Britain, Canada, Germany, the US, and the Netherlands expressing deep concern over the violence.
In a statement disseminated via social media, they decried the tragic loss of life and allegations of abductions of protesters, urging all parties to exercise restraint and respect the rule of law.
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