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Uhuru urges government to embrace dialogue amidst Finance Bill unrest

File image of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

By Amina Wako | Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Uhuru’s call for dialogue and understanding comes as the country grapples with the aftermath of the demonstrations, which turned violent in some areas.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has appealed to the government to listen to the concerns of Kenyans and address their grievances. Uhuru’s call for dialogue and understanding comes as the country grapples with the aftermath of the demonstrations, which turned violent in some areas.

Here is Uhuru's statement:

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My fellow Kenyans,

I come to you with a heavy heart. Saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in our country. It is the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined by the constitution we all promulgated in 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead.

At this trying time for our Country, I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people. Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and the very basis and philosophy of democracy.

Leaders must know that the power and authority they have is donated to them by 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 being antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer.

As your former president, I have felt the weight and the difficulty of leading Kenya. I, therefore, pray for wisdom and civility to be established and for peace and progress to belong to all of us as children of Kenya.