Washington D.C., June 26th – The United States strongly condemned the violence erupting in Kenya this week, where clashes between police and protestors have resulted in at least 23 deaths, according to medical officials.
The unrest stemmed from the Kenyan government’s proposed tax increases. In response, protestors stormed parliament on Tuesday, forcing President William Ruto to back down and scrap the new tax measures.
“The United States is deeply troubled by the reported violence in Kenya,” declared John Kirby, National Security Council Spokesperson at the White House. “We strongly condemn all forms of violence.”
The condemnation comes after reports that police opened fire on protestors who had gathered around parliament. Some demonstrators even managed to breach the assembly compound minutes after lawmakers approved the tax hikes.
Kirby further stated that the U.S. has been in communication with the Kenyan government, urging them to ensure police employ appropriate force and respect human rights. He emphasized the importance of restoring calm and facilitating peaceful dialogue.
