Uhuru Kenyatta Breaks Silence Over Deadly Anti-Finance Bill 2024 Protests

Uhuru Kenyatta Breaks Silence Over Deadly Anti-Finance Bill 2024 Protests

• Former president Uhuru Kenyatta condemned the violence witnessed during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests
• Uhuru urged President William Ruto's administration to engage in dialogue with the opponents of the controversial bill
• During the Tuesday, June 25 protests, several people were shot dead after demonstrators stormed the Parliament Building

Amos Khaemba, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Nairobi- Former president Uhuru Kenyatta has sent his condolences to the families of Kenyans who lost their lives during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests.

In a statement on Tuesday, June 25, Uhuru said he was saddened that innocent Kenyans died while exercising their constitutional right to picket.

"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.

The former head of state urged his successor, William Ruto, to engage with opponents of the controversial finance bill to resolve the current stalemate.

Uhuru further called for calm and urged leaders to embrace dialogue with the people.

"I, therefore, call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer," he added.

While affirming his support for Kenyans, Uhuru said there was a need for leaders to talk to the people who elected them, arguing that the country is bigger than an individual.

"Dear Kenyans, I stand with you and I ask our leadership to embrace dialogue and speak to the people and not at the people. 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 former president said.