Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has come out strongly against some religious institutions and diplomatic missions, accusing them of inciting Gen Zs ahead of the Wednesday, June 25, protests.
Speaking in Makueni County on Thursday, June 26, Kindiki expressed concern over alleged encouragement from certain religious groups, saying it contributed to the widespread unrest.
"I want to thank those churches and religious organizations that prayed for peace and urged our youth to demonstrate peacefully; I thank churches that were of that category.
"However, there are some churches that incited the young people, telling them that they are at liberty to do whatever they want. I want to ask those churches whether the chaos that we saw yesterday is what they were advocating for,” he said.
Kindiki also turned his attention to diplomatic missions based in Nairobi, also accusing them of playing a role in the chaos witnessed during the protests.
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"We also have diplomatic missions that are allied to Kenya that also incited the youth, telling them they are free to do whatever they desire. We have seen massive destruction and we want to ask those foreign envoys whether what transpired is what they wanted,” he added.
On Tuesday, June 24, several foreign diplomatic missions in Kenya jointly issued a statement ahead of anticipated protests.
In a statement, the envoys acknowledged that the protest is meant to honour those who died during last year's anti-Finance Bill demonstrations.
“June 25th marks one year since Kenyans voiced their concerns through widespread protests at the 2024 Finance Bill. We remember those who lost their lives and reaffirm every Kenyan's right to peaceful assembly and to express themselves," the statement read.
The diplomatic missions also condemned tactics that threaten the integrity of peaceful protests, including the hiring of goons.
“We are troubled by the use of hired 'goons' to infiltrate or disrupt peaceful gatherings. Protecting the right to protest is vital to preserving civic space and a cornerstone of Kenya's vibrant democracy," the statement further read.
A week earlier on Wednesday, June 18, Archbishop Philip Anyolo of the Archdiocese of Nairobi had condemned the use of excessive force by the police and their inaction as hired goons took advantage of the protest held on Tuesday, June 17, to harm demonstrators and damage property.
“We are saddened by the incidents that happened on Tuesday in Nairobi during protests against the killing of Albert Ojwang. We are especially saddened by the point-blank shooting of a non-violent citizen who seemed to be just an innocent Kenyan and the free operation of goons robbing, beating up citizens and destroying in the eyes and without interference by security agencies," he said.
