A coalition of international diplomats in Kenya has issued a powerful joint statement urging the government and citizens to uphold peace and justice as the country marks the first anniversary of the 2024 Finance Bill protests.
The statement, signed by ambassadors and high commissioners from over a dozen countries—including the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Canada, and Australia—reaffirmed the right of Kenyans to peaceful assembly and expression.
“We remember those who lost their lives and reaffirm every Kenyan’s right to peaceful assembly and to express themselves,” the statement read.
The envoys expressed concern over the use of plainclothes officers in unmarked vehicles, a practice the Kenyan High Court has ruled unlawful. They also condemned the infiltration of protests by hired “goons,” warning that such tactics undermine public trust and civic space.
“Protecting the right to protest is vital to preserving civic space and a cornerstone of Kenya’s vibrant democracy,” the diplomats emphasized.
The statement called for swift, transparent, and independent investigations into all incidents of violence against peaceful protestors, stressing that accountability is essential for restoring confidence in public institutions.
As Kenyans prepare to commemorate the protests that shook the nation last year, the international community is watching closely, urging restraint, respect for human rights, and adherence to the rule of law.
