On March 28, US Vice President Joseph Biden discussed his views on the continuing demonstrations in Kenya.
Biden cautioned both the Kenya Kwanza government and the opposition against using excessive tactics during the ongoing protests through State Department spokesman Vedant Patel.
The US administration specifically urged Azimio la Umoja to refrain from encouraging violence against domestic and foreign targets.
“We encourage political leaders, protesters and all parties to refrain from violence and rhetoric that could incite violence,” State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.
Also, the US asked President William Ruto’s administration to show caution when dealing with Azimio la Umoja demonstrators.
The administration of Biden stated that protest is one of the most important aspects of democracy and that the opposition was within its rights to do so.
All Kenyans must participate in peaceful protests, the statement said, days after the demonstrations descended into chaos and resulted in the deaths of protesters and the destruction of property.
“We demand that government security forces use restraint while defending the lives and property of the general public.
Vedant Patel stated that “the rights to freedoms of expression and association as well as the right to peaceful assembly are core tenets to democracy.”
In order to combat the rise of authoritarianism, President Biden also invited President William Ruto to a summit of democracies.
Despite recent electoral turbulence, Biden praised Kenya for her dedication to democracy in Africa.
Raila Odinga, the leader of the Azimio, requested that rallies for electoral justice and the cost of living take place every Monday and Thursday.
In the first two weeks of the demonstrations, which started on March 20 in Nairobi and other parts of the nation, three people have died.
FILE
