Amnesty International calls for Kenyan President William Ruto's trial at the International Criminal Court, accusing him of crimes against humanity for overseeing the violent crackdown on peaceful protesters opposing the Finance Bill. Kenyan police allegedly killed 23, injured 300, and abducted 22 protesters, sparking widespread international condemnation.
Amnesty International has condemned Kenyan President William Ruto for allegedly orchestrating a violent crackdown on peaceful protesters, demanding his trial at the International Criminal Court. The organization claims that during protests against the punitive Finance Bill, Kenyan police killed 23 people, injured 300, and abducted 22. They describe these actions as constituting crimes against humanity. Amnesty International also accuses Ruto of exacerbating the violence through an inflammatory televised address labeling the protests as treasonous acts, which they argue further incited the security forces. The deployment of Kenya Defense Forces without parliamentary approval has been cited as illegal under Kenya's constitution, fueling further unrest.
The protests, initially peaceful, erupted into violence when police opened fire with live ammunition to disperse demonstrators in Nairobi. President Ruto's subsequent withdrawal of the Finance Bill did not quell public outrage, with citizens planning a one million-person march to shut down the country in protest. International stakeholders including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Belgium have expressed concern over the handling of the protests, urging restraint and dialogue.
President Ruto, in a televised address, praised security forces for their actions in defense of the nation but faced criticism for ignoring the casualties. Despite his withdrawal of the bill, tensions remain high as citizens demand accountability for the violence and a resolution to the economic challenges prompting the protests. The situation underscores deep-seated public dissatisfaction with Ruto's administration, marked by economic policies aimed at reducing Kenya's substantial debt burden through controversial tax measures.
