EMBRACE DIALOGUE

13 envoys, high commissioners urge Ruto, Raila to dialogue

Say they are concerned with loss of lives during protests.

In Summary
  • Their statement comes ahead of Azimio's planned three-day protests that are expected to start on Wednesday, through to Friday.
  • On Wednesday last week, the protests led to the destruction of property, theft, and loss of lives across different parts of the country.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto during the funeral of Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua on May 13, 2023.
Azimio leader Raila Odinga and President William Ruto during the funeral of Field Marshal Mukami Kimathi in Nyandarua on May 13, 2023.
Image: PCS

At least 13 European ambassadors have called on President William Ruto and Azimio leader Raila Odinga to embrace dialogue to stop any further loss of lives.

In a joint statement, the ambassadors and High Commissioners said they are concerned by the violence and loss of lives.

The diplomats insisted that they support efforts by the government and the opposition to find a peaceful and lasting solution.

"We are saddened by the loss of life and concerned by high levels of violence, including the use of live rounds and the destruction of property, during the recent demonstrations," the Ambassadors and High Commissioners said.

"We recognise the daily hardships faced by many Kenyans and urge all parties to table concerns through a meaningful dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully to build the nation together, ensuring no further loss of life."

They are Luke Williams (High Commissioner, Australia), Christopher Thornley (High Commissioner, Canada), Ole Thonke (Ambassador, Denmark), Pirkka Tapiola (Ambassador, Finland), Sebastian Groth, (Ambassador, Germany) and Fionnuala Quinlan (Ambassador, Ireland).

Others are Maarten Brouwer (Ambassador, Netherlands), Geir Arne Schei (Charge d'Affaires, Norway), Caroline Vicini (Ambassador Sweden), Valentin Zellweger (Ambassador, Switzerland), Andrii Pravednyk (Ambassador, Ukraine), Josephine Gauld (Charge d'Affaires, United Kingdom) and Meg Whitman (Ambassador, United States).

Their statement comes ahead of Azimio's planned three-day protests that are expected to start on Wednesday, through to Friday.

On Wednesday last week, the protests led to the destruction of property, theft, and loss of lives across different parts of the country.

Police and protesters engaged in running battles as teargas marked the order of the day.

At least nine people were reported dead with many others sustaining injuries.

Police also made at least 600 arrests across the country.

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