Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has declined to take responsibility for the deaths of 60 people during the anti-Finance Bill 2024 protests earlier in the year.
Speaking during a joint interview on Thursday, December 19, Kindiki who was then the Interior Cabinet Secretary, dismissed calls for accountability, stating that his role as the minister was limited to providing policy guidance.
"I have no reason to take responsibility for anything because the space of violence and encounter with law enforcement is a space that is defined by the law and the role of the Minister of Interior is defined in the Constitution in article 245 on what that role is and that role includes providing policy guidance to the organs of internal security," he said.
Kindiki emphasized the independence of the Inspector General of Police, who is constitutionally mandated to oversee police operations.
He noted that the actions of law enforcement during the protests were under the independent command of the IG.
Read More
"The role of police operations is protected through the mandate of independent command of the Inspector General of Police and therefore police operations especially in engaging protestors or people who are seen as breaching the peace is the province for the independent command of the Inspector General of the NPS," he added.
In June and July 2024, Kenya witnessed significant public unrest following the government's proposal of the Finance Bill 2024, which aimed to introduce new taxes to address the nation's economic challenges.
The bill's introduction sparked widespread protests, particularly among the youth, who expressed concerns over increased living costs and economic hardships.
The protests began peacefully but escalated after the tragic death of 29-year-old protester Rex Kanyike Masai on June 20.
Masai was fatally shot during demonstrations in Nairobi, leading to a surge of public outrage and a series of protests dubbed the "Seven Days of Rage" from June 21 to June 27.
The situation intensified on June 25 when protesters stormed the Parliament Building in Nairobi, setting parts of it on fire.
In response to the escalating unrest, President William Ruto who had initially defended the Finance Bill withdrew it under public pressure.
He also dismissed nearly his entire cabinet, excluding only Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi and then Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
