On Wednesday 26 June, the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, expressed the EU’s concern following the violence that broke out on Tuesday during anti-government demonstrations in Nairobi and other Kenyan cities such as Kisumu in the west and Mombasa in the south. 22 people were killed and more than 300 injured, according to AFP.
“Defence and security forces should exercise restraint and protests should remain peaceful. Fundamental rights and freedoms, including the rights to freedom of demonstration, association, peaceful assembly and expression, must be respected”, said Mr Borrell in a press release.
The EU believes that President Ruto’s decision on Wednesday to withdraw the budget reform at the root of the current tensions “should help create an environment that is conducive to dialogue”. The controversial bill included new tax increases. (Original version in French by Bernard Denuit)