Kenyan President William Ruto has called for peace following weeks of deadly protests against proposed tax increases, warning that continued violence threatens the country’s economic prosperity.
Speaking to citizens and traders in Eldoret City while attending the Kenya Music Festival State Concert, Mr Ruto emphasised the importance of maintaining order to support business growth.
“Violence undermines investments and our economic prosperity,” the president said. “I call upon Kenyans to keep peace in order to allow businesses to flourish.”
Mr Ruto addressed both the general public and the business community, using the Swahili term “wananchi” for citizens.
The appeal comes after a series of demonstrations that began in mid-June when the government announced tax hikes that would have raised the cost of many basics.
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), at least 60 people have been killed and 601 injured in clashes with the police and other security personnel since the protests began. The commission also reports that 1,376 people have been arrested.
The KNCHR says it has recorded 66 cases of people who are thought to have been abducted or have gone missing, leaving behind relatives and friends who are desperately searching for them.
Despite Mr Ruto scrapping the planned finance bill on 26 June, as well as dismissing almost his entire cabinet and offering “multi-sectoral” talks to address protesters’ grievances, demonstrations continued, resulting in a crackdown by security forces.
Eldoret, a significant urban centre in western Kenya, has been an important focus for the government’s efforts to restore calm.
The president’s statement did not address the underlying causes of the recent unrest or the allegations of human rights abuses during the protests.
Kenya has a history of political tensions leading to public demonstrations, often with significant economic repercussions.
