In a solemn address to the nation, former Kenya President Uhuru Kenyatta has expressed deep concern over the loss of lives resulting from the ongoing unrest in the country .
In a press statement titled: “STATEMENT BY H.E. UHURU KENYATTA, C.G.H, FOURTH PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF KENYA”, and issued on Tuesday, he emphasized the importance of peaceful protest as a constitutional right while urging leaders to listen to their constituents.
Kenyatta acknowledged that every Kenyan has the right to protest, as enshrined in the constitution adopted in 2010. He emphasized that this right should be respected.
He reminded all leaders that their authority is derived from the people. Listening to citizens is not optional but a fundamental duty. He called for restraint and dialogue rather than antagonism.
Amid the turmoil, ex-president Kenyatta appealed for calm. He urged both protesters and leadership to avoid violence, emphasizing that it is not the solution.
Reflecting on his own experience as Kenya’s former president, Kenyatta prayed for wisdom and civility to prevail. He recognized the weight of leadership responsibilities during challenging times.
He passionately called for leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue with the people, rather than merely addressing them. He emphasized that Kenya’s collective well-being transcends individual interests.
The statement read, “My fellow Kenyans,
“I come to you with a heavy heart. Saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in our country. It is the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined by the constitution we all promulgated in 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead.
“At this trying time for our Country, I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people. Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very basis and philosophy of democracy.
“Leaders must know that power and authority they have is donated to them by the people.
“I therefore call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer.
“As your former President, I have felt the weight and the difficulty of leading Kenya. I therefore pray for wisdom and civility to be established and for peace and progress to belong to all of us as children of Kenya.
“Dear Kenyans, I stand with you and I ask our leadership to embrace dialogue and SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE AND NOT AT THE PEOPLE. I pray for peace and understanding on the part of each and every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed.
“God bless Kenya.”
On Tuesday, citizens stormed the parliament during protests against a new finance bill which escalated tensions, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
The situation remains fluid, with clashes spreading to other cities, although, the government has deployed military support to address the security emergency.
As Kenya grapples with these challenges, the president’s call for dialogue and restraint echoes across the nation.