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Raila Odinga condemns brutality meted on anti-Finance Bill protesters

Police officers try to disperse protesters during a demonstration against the Finance Bill 2024/2025 in Nairobi, on June 25, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

By Abdirahman Khalif | Tuesday, June 25, 2024

Raila noted that the government has dismissed and ridiculed the opinions of Kenyans and has resorted to brutality and murder to silence dissenting voices.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned the government for the deadly crackdown on anti-Finance Bill protesters on Tuesday.

In a statement, Raila expressed deep concern over the violence, arrests, and detentions carried out by police against demonstrators.

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Raila emphasised that the grievances raised by the youth should have been addressed through dialogue rather than force. He accused the government of reverting to dictatorial methods reminiscent of pre-independence chaos.

"I am deeply troubled by the violent and deadly crackdown on young, peaceful protesters exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," he stated.

"I am disturbed at the murders, arrests, detentions, and surveillance being perpetrated by police on boys and girls who are only seeking to be heard over taxation policies that are stealing both their present and future."

Raila noted that the government has dismissed and ridiculed the opinions of Kenyans and has resorted to brutality and murder to silence dissenting voices. He criticised the government for suspending the constitution in practice.

"Every dissenting opinion has been dismissed and ridiculed by government officials and ruling party politicians," he said. "Such dissenting voices are now being silenced by brutality and murder. The constitution seems to have been suspended."

The Azimio leader expressed disbelief and concern over the government's use of force against its citizens. He asserted that he would not tolerate the ongoing violence and murder, which he believes could have been avoided.

Raila highlighted that the protesters were peaceful and unarmed, merely seeking food, jobs, and an opportunity to be heard.

"We can't and won't tolerate any extra minute of this murder spree and violence that could have been and can still be avoided. Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs, and a listening ear. Police must therefore immediately stop shooting innocent, peaceful, and unarmed protesting children who are asking for guarantees of a better tomorrow from the State," he stated.

The opposition leader pointed out that the grievances of the protesters are deeply rooted but noted that the immediate trigger is the Finance Bill.

According to Raila, the Finance Bill is not an urgent matter for the government or the citizens. He recalled a similar situation in the previous Parliament where the government suspended a provision on tax reduction until a consensus was reached.

"The same can happen today, with the government suspending the current Finance Bill and continuing with the Finance Act of last year," he suggested.

Raila believes that the way to resolve the current impasse and end the violence is for the government to withdraw the Finance Bill, 2024 unconditionally and initiate dialogue.