The United States of America has condemned President William Ruto’s government’s decision to ban Raila Odinga’s Azimio protests across the country.
In a statement, the US State Department said rights to freedom of expression and association are core tenets of democracy that every country must promote.
At the same time, the Joe Biden administration, through Principal Deputy Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Vedant Patel, expressed regret for the deaths in Kenyan protests.
“The rights to freedom of expression and association, and the right of peaceful assembly, are core tenets of democracy,” he said.
“Countries that defend these essential freedoms and encourage an open, inclusive and powerful civil society are more stable and affluent. Kenya benefits from having an active and vibrant civil society.”
Patel was replying to questioning by a reporter who sought to know the view of the US administration on the action by police to restrict protests in Kenya.
During the Azimio protests, one person was shot dead in Kisumu, and two were injured in Migori.
Property of an unknown value was destroyed in the chaos that erupted as police tried to stop a march by the opposition in parts of the country.
