Mombasa governor Abdullswamad Sherrif Nassir has challenged President William Ruto to walk the talk and free protesters.
Speaking in Mombasa on Friday, July 26, 2024, in the presence of Ruto who is on a tour of the coast, Nassir said victims of the recent anti-government protests must be compensated.
“Your Excellency, mimi nimekuskia na nimemskia party leader wangu Raila Amollo Odinga akilizungumza hili – ni lazima wale waloweza kuumia katika muskamano wa maandamano wawe compensated,” Nassir said.
“Wale waloweza kuuliwa na kuumizwa katika maandamano wawe compensated,” he reiterated his demand.
The Mombasa governor also insisted that police must be held accountable for the deaths and injuries of protesters.
“Ni lazima your Excellency wale polisi walofanya wao ni kichwa kigumu wakawanyima haki za watu wachukuliwe hatua zile ambazo kwamba zinahitajika. As we speak development, development cannot move without movement of politics,” he said.
Nassir additionally pressed Ruto to put his word into action regarding the dropping of cases involving protesters.
“Hawa watu wote your Excellency, tunaomba zile kesi za wale walokua wameshikwa kiholela holela kwa sababu wanaandamana, be true to your word and I know that you will do it – drop those cases za wale ambao kwamba walioko pale,” the Mombasa governor said.
50 dead
At least 50 people have died and 413 others have been injured in the protests since June 18, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.
Ruto recently criticized police officers for breaches of their constitutional mandate and urged the release of those wrongfully arrested during the protests.
In a national address on Thursday, July 24, 2024, the president acknowledged the nationwide protests that have led to loss of lives and property destruction.
He called on criminal justice officials to release and withdraw charges against innocent people arrested during the protests.
“Unfortunately, there have been many instances of excessive, unlawful, dangerous, and harmful conduct during the demonstrations. Consequently, many persons have been arrested and charged in court with various offenses,” Ruto said.
“I urge the criminal justice agencies to take effective measures to ensure that those innocently caught up in the proceedings and those not implicated in crimes are released, and the charges against them withdrawn.”
Ruto also called for the investigation and prosecution of criminals who exploited the peaceful protests for their own agendas.
“It is important that these suspects are brought to book and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” he said.
The Head of State further urged police officers to operate within the confines of the Constitution.
US Secretary of State
Nassir’s demands to Ruto come on the heels of a similar request by the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
In a recent call with Ruto, Blinken emphasized the importance of accountability for Kenya’s security forces.
The conversation highlighted concerns over police excesses and underscored the need to safeguard the voices of youth, civil society, and the media.
US State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller relayed Blinken’s message.
“In a call with Kenyan President Ruto, Secretary Antony Blinken reiterated the need to defend and protect the voices of youth, civil society, and media. The Secretary also underscored that the security forces need to be held accountable,” Miller wrote on X on Friday, July 26, 2024.
Blinken’s call comes amid growing international scrutiny of Kenya’s handling of the ongoing anti-government protests, which began on June 18, 2024.
