Wiper Party Leader Kalonzo Musyoka has once again called for justice following the tragic deaths of youths during ongoing anti-government protests across the country.
Speaking on Saturday, July 27, 2024, Kalonzo said those who killed peaceful protesters and destroyed businesses must be held accountable
He insisted on seeing arrests and justice being served as a step forward in addressing these issues.
“A young leader carrying the national flag, the symbol of our pride and the symbol of our nationhood and you don’t even respect them. Askari ambao walipiga hao vijana washikwe,” Kalonzo stated.
Adding;
“All those involved in killing young Kenyans and looting people’s businesses must be brought to book. We must see arrests moving forward.”
Police vs protesters
The anti-government protests which began on June 18, 2024, saw youths from all over the country protest both on the internet and the streets calling for the resignation of President William Ruto and better governance.
The initial trigger was the Finance Bill 2024 which aimed to raise taxes, which President Ruto later withdrew due to public outcry.
Despite this, the protests have continued, fueled by accusations of corruption, misgovernance, and a severe cost-of-living crisis​
The protests have seen violent clashes between demonstrators and police, with the latter using tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds.
Reports indicate that at least 50 people have died and many more have been injured since the protests began.
Protesters, primarily from the younger generation, are still calling for a “total shutdown” of the country to pressure the Head of State to step down. They accuse the government of failing to address their grievances and demand accountability and better governance.
Despite dismissing nearly his entire cabinet in response to the protests, Ruto’s actions did not quell the public’s anger.
The President also nominated most of the CSs that he had earlier for dismissed reappointment adding to the public fury.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, opposition leader Raila Odinga said the demands outlined by ODM to President Ruto included compensation to the families of victims of extra-judicial executions and persons injured by the state since last year, the release of all persons in custody and the termination of all cases related to protests since last year, and the prosecution of policemen involved in the shooting to kill or maim protestors.
