The ambassadors and high commissioners in Kenya have shown immediate concern and offered to mediate the Ruto-Raila dialogue.
The concern is over the violence and destruction of property during the demonstrations held. This includes the vandalism of supermarkets and stores as well as the destruction of the Nairobi Expressway. In addition to this, there have been street landmarks that have been destroyed during the demonstrations held.
In a joint statement on Tuesday, envoys of 13 countries; Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, the United Kingdom and the United States, called for dialogue. They expect the president’s administration and the opposition to have a sit-down and resolve their differences peacefully.
“We are saddened by the loss of life and concerned by the high levels of violence, including the use of live rounds and the destruction of property, during the recent demonstrations,” read the statement.
In the statement, they point out the recognition of the hardship Kenyans face daily and ask the leaders to have a sit-down and discuss a way forward. In addition to this, they ask the leaders to ensure that there is no more loss of lives and destruction of property by having a sit-down.
” We stand ready to support the parties in their efforts to find constructive and peaceful solutions.” read the statement
The envoy expressed direct interest to mediate the two parties in dialogues and discussions.
Read also:UN Human Rights against the Use of force during protests
Ruto-Raila dialogue halted by a standoff
The opposition called for anti-government protests to picket against the high cost of living. The protests are to resume on Wednesday till Friday this week. This has attracted the attention of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights who released a statement on Friday urging local authorities not to use deadly force when calming the protests.
The Permanent Mission responded to the released statement from OHCHR by mentioning that the information they used was misinformed. They further declared that though citizens had a right to picket and peacefully protest, they had no right to destroy property.
Read Also: Kenya Responds to UN on Anti-government Protest Crackdown
While the standoff continues, Ruto vowed that protests will not be allowed in the country. He accused his predecessor of financing the protests and supporting the opposition in creating chaos.
The opposition on the other hand maintains that the protests will continue taking place until the demands of the citizens are met by the government. They claim that they will protest regardless of the intimidation by the police and government.
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