Kenya: Africans Rising, 400 CSOs Across Africa Demand Ruto Stop Clampdown On Protesters

Africans Rising, along with 400 civil society organisations and movements from across Africa and the diaspora, have written a strong letter to Kenyan President William Ruto urging him to end the crackdown on protesters.

The letter and the massive support it received demonstrate Africans’ widespread solidarity with the Kenyan people in their struggle against misgovernance, corruption, and economic hardship.

The letter makes the following specific demands from the Ruto government: Stop the killing of protesters. Stop abducting protesters, bring back those who have been kidnapped, investigate and punish perpetrators, and refrain from such acts; Respect the human and constitutional rights of protesters. All those arrested for protesting should be released immediately and unconditionally. The government can respond to protests without resorting to violence.
Protesters’ demands against excessive taxation, corruption, and misgovernment.

The letter also stated that “even though the protests have ended, concerns remain that protesters do not feel safe.”

It mentions Kenyan security forces’ track record of tracking down protest organisers, intimidating, abducting, and violating their human rights, and warns the government that the coalition will monitor and prosecute any post-protest abuses.

The letter stated, “We believe that in the spirit of Ubuntu, what affects one African affects all Africans.”