Nairobi, Kenya – Yesterday’s peaceful protests have been marred by the tragic loss of young lives, as the government’s response escalated into violence. Over four youths were killed during the demonstrations, a stark violation of their constitutional right to peacefully assemble. The Oasis of Hope Foundation vehemently condemns these senseless killings and the ongoing brutality against citizens exercising their democratic rights.

The Right to Protest

The Constitution of Kenya explicitly protects the right to peaceful assembly. Article 37 of the Constitution states: “Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities.” The events of yesterday and the planned military deployment ahead of Thursday's protests represent a severe breach of this constitutional guarantee.
The Grim Reality

Reports from various sources confirm that the protesters, mainly youths, were unarmed and peaceful. The excessive use of force by security personnel resulted in fatalities and numerous injuries, highlighting a distressing disregard for human life and the rule of law. This violent crackdown is reminiscent of oppressive regimes, where state machinery is used to silence dissent rather than protect its citizens.

Deployment of Military Forces

In a worrying development, the government has announced the deployment of military forces in anticipation of Thursday's planned protests, which aim to march towards State House. This militarization of a civilian issue is alarming and sets a dangerous precedent. The Constitution provides for the use of the military only in exceptional circumstances, typically when there is a direct threat to national security, not to quell peaceful demonstrations.

International and Domestic Reaction

The international community and domestic human rights organizations have expressed profound concern over these developments. Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch have called for immediate investigations into the killings and an end to the violent repression of peaceful protesters.

Amb Dr Elizabeth Thuiya , a Patron for the House of Clergy, stated, "The use of lethal force against peaceful protesters is unacceptable and must be condemned in the strongest terms. The government must be held accountable for these atrocities and immediately cease the violence against its own people."

A Call for Accountability

The Oasis of Hope Foundation stands in solidarity with the families of the victims and all those affected by the violence. We call on the Kenyan government to:

Cease all violent actions against peaceful protesters.
Conduct thorough and transparent investigations into the killings and hold those responsible accountable.
Respect and uphold the constitutional rights of all citizens.

Our Commitment

As an organization dedicated to promoting justice and human rights, the Oasis of Hope Foundation will continue to support the victims and advocate for systemic changes to prevent such tragedies in the future. We urge all Kenyans to remain peaceful in their protests and to stand firm in the pursuit of justice and democracy.

Conclusion

The events of yesterday have shown us that the fight for justice and democratic rights in Kenya is far from over. We must honor the memory of those who lost their lives by continuing to stand up against oppression and advocating for a government that truly represents and protects its people.

"Freedom is never given; it is won. Our voices will echo through the halls of power, undeterred and unyielding. We stand together, and we will prevail."