The chaotic protests that happened in Kenya on Monday, March 27, 2023, have drawn the attention of media in the US.
On Monday, during a press briefing, journalists asked Vedant Patel, the Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State, about the situation in Kenya.
“Potential problems, Kenya – I was wondering if you have anything to say about the situation there. There’s some violence today. The government has banned protests by the opposition – it’s a dispute over the election. Is there anything you have to say about that, particularly about the ban on the opposition protests?” Patel was asked by a journalist.
The Department of State spokesperson said he was not aware of the situation in Kenya but promised to follow up on the matter when he gets updates on the ground.
“I don’t initially, Shaun, but I’m happy to check if we have any updates on the ground and we can follow up with you,” Patel replied to the journalist.
Goons, deaths, violence
The Monday protests witnessed goons invading retired President Uhuru Kenyatta’s family estate on the Eastern bypass, cutting down trees and stealing livestock.
While the goons were invading the Kenyatta family property, another group riding on motorcycles attacked the Raila Odinga family company, East Africa Spectre in Embakasi, Nairobi and pelted buildings with stones, breaking windowpanes.
Two men were also shot dead after the opposition’s anti-government protests in Kisumu turned violent. The deceased said to be in their 20s were shot separately in two different spots — Nyalenda and Kondole.
In Migori, roads were blocked and bonfires lit as thousands of opposition supporters poured onto the streets to demonstrate against the government.
