UN Makes Plea To Police During Azimio Protests Next Week
Laurence made reference to reports indicating that up to 23 people have been killed and dozens injured in the demonstrations in the past week.
Marvin Chege 
The United Nations (UN) on Friday, July 14 urged the National Police Service (NPS) to ensure protection for anti-government protesters who were demonstrating against the high cost of living instead of using excessive force against them next week.
UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence in a statement expressed concern regarding the widespread violence, and allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including the use of firearms, by police during protests in Kenya.
Laurence made reference to reports indicating that up to 23 people have been killed and dozens injured in the demonstrations in the past week.
UN Human Rights Office Spokesperson Jeremy Laurence during a past press briefing. /UN GENEVA MULTIMEDIA NEWSROOM
"We call for prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries.
"Those responsible must be held to account. Effective measures to prevent further deaths and injuries must be adopted," stated Laurence.
The spokesperson further appealed to the authorities to uphold the right to peaceful protests as enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution as well as in laws depicting human rights around the world.
"The policing of protests must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies, and any use of force must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination. Firearms should never be used to disperse protests," he added.
Laurence on behalf of the UN also called for calm and encourage open dialogue to address social, economic and political grievances, with the aim of identifying lasting solutions in the interests of all Kenyans.
He echoed the demands of religious leaders as well as the National Cohesion and Integration Commission, which called on President William Ruto and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga to reach resolutions over contentious issues such as the Finance Act 2023, high cost of living and the re-constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
His statement comes amidst uncertainty across the country after Raila called for more protests in the coming days.
Azimio called for more protests running from Wednesday, July 19 to Friday, July 21 in an attempt to force President Ruto to repeal some sections of the Finance Act 2023 among other issues.
Ruto however took a hardline stance and declared that the government will not allow the Azimio la Umoja protests to happen again in the country.
"Demonstrations will no longer take place in Kenya, the ones they are saying on Wednesday next week are impossible,” said Ruto.
President Ruto further threatened to deal with Raila head-on if he carries on with his plan to stage anti-government protests, urging the former Prime Minister to wait until the 2027 general elections if he wants to have power at the highest seat in the country.
“I want to tell him that if it's protesting, we will meet because you cannot use extrajudicial and extraconstitutional means to look for power in Kenya.
"There is a constitution, the people of Kenya went to an election and they elected a government. If you want power wait for 2027 and I will beat you again,” Ruto added.
