President William Ruto, in a live broadcast on Friday, condoled with Kenyans killed in three weeks of protests that shut down commercial activities in the East African country.
“The last two weeks have been a difficult time for us, a country where Kenyans have lost their lives, many injured, and property destroyed,” said Mr Ruto, who earlier declared the protests treasonous.
“I extend my deepest condolences to those who lost their lives because one life lost is a life too many.”
The president also promised to support those injured during the demonstrations, saying, “The government of Kenya will support all those who lost their lives and those who are injured.”
Aside from scrapping the budget for the offices of the First and Second Lady of Kenya, Mr Ruto cut down the number of his advisors by 50 per cent while dissolving 47 state agencies on grounds of duplication
Mr Ruto also suspended all non-essential travels by state and public officers, adding, “No state officer or public servant will participate in harambee.”
This move comes three weeks after protests broke out against the finance bill. The protest, which began on June 18, disrupted commercial activities in the East African country.
The protests took a bloody turn last week Tuesday as protesters occupied the parliament, defying police’s teargas, water cannons and live bullets.
Videos and photos of police clamping down and opening live rounds on protesters, live bullet shells, and corpses of protesters flood the internet from Kenya, sparking global outrage against Mr Ruto, who, last week Wednesday, announced the withdrawal of the bill.
Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that 39 were killed, hundreds injured, and over 30 enforced disappearances were recorded. It lamented that police used “excessive and disproportionate force” on protesters.
