Interior Principal Secretary Dr. Raymond Omollo has expressed regret over the handling of protesters during the End Femicide march on Tuesday, December 10.
Speaking in an interview on Wednesday, December 11, the PS termed the violent displacement and arrests during the match as unfortunate.
Omollo noted that the events witnessed on Tuesday should not have happened especially because the world was observing International Human Rights Day.
"Yesterday’s events were pretty much unfortunate. We've had a series of concerns across the country on issues around femicide. For me it’s a question where you are saying things didn’t go right, it’s not something you would want to say is acceptable. It is regrettable, it is something that should not have happened in the first place," the PS said.
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Meanwhile, Omollo also stated that the government would not be importing basic commodities such as maize and sugar, attributing the new development to the subsidization of fertilizer.
"For the first time in a very long time as a country, we are not importing maize, sugar, a number of basic food supplies. This is largely attributable to the interventions that the government has made with the fertilizer subsidy program," he said.
The US Embassy also expressed regret over teargassing and arrest of protesters, noting that the police action against Kenyans exercising their rights to assemble was concerning.
"Regrettable and concerning to see police action against Kenyans exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and protest peacefully.
"On #InternationalHumanRightsDay and every day, the United States supports efforts to #EndFemicideKE and protect the human rights of all people," the statement read.
Amnesty International and the Law Society of Kenya also condemned police actions, saying it violates the rule of law and perpetuates violence against women.
"The violent response by police, including the arrest of these peaceful protesters, is a direct attack on Kenya's democratic principles and the human rights of its citizens," the statement read in part.
On December 10, 2024, protests against femicide in Kenya were met with police violence, including tear gas and arrests.
Demonstrators gathered in Nairobi and other parts of the country to demand action against rising gender-based violence in the country.
However, as they marched towards parliament, police dispersed the crowd, leading to injuries and arrests, including Amnesty International's Kenya director Houghton Irungu.
