•Local media reports said police shot dead at least nine people last week, with at least two more people killed on Wednesday this week.
•The UN advised the Kenya Kwanza regime to ensure that Kenyans are allowed to exercise their rights in accordance with Article 37 of the Constitution.
Image: KEITH MUSEKE
Foreign Affairs CS Alfred Mutua on Wednesday blasted the international community, accusing it of meddling in Kenya's internal affairs and inflating the demonstration death count.
The dispute was sparked by a United Nations statement saying 23 Kenyans have lost their lives in the ongoing anti-government protests.
In a statement on Friday, UN Human Rights Office spokesperson Jeremy Laurence said 23 people had lost their lives in demonstrations in the past week and dozens were injured.
But Mutuarejected that statement and accused the UN spokesman of spreading “propaganda” and engaging in bad manners.
He did not give his tally of deaths at the hands of police and others, in a press conference on Wednesday.
Local media reports said police shot dead at least nine people last week, with at least two more people killed on Wednesday this week.
Mutua also said there was no “widespread violence” and said police did not use "disproportionate force," despite the deaths.
“It is, therefore, unfortunate that the UN issued a statement on protests in some parts of Kenya, in which it alleged ‘widespread violence’ and ‘unnecessary or disproportionate use of force’,” Mutua said.
“He [Laurence] alleged that 23 people have been killed and dozens injured in the demonstrations. This statement was not only inaccurate, but misleading and appeared to have been written in support of a propaganda campaigns by people opposed to the democratic will of the people,” Mutua said.
The ongoing protests across the country were called by the Azimio Coalition to protest against the high cost of living and the what they called the 'punitive' Finance Act 2023, which has been suspended by the courts.
Last week, the OHCHR condemned what it called the disproportionate use of force by the police, with Laurence saying the police ought to be held accountable.
"We call for prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries. Those responsible must be held to account," he said.
Laurence called on the Kenya Kwanza regime to ensure that Kenyans are allowed to exercise their rights in accordance with Article 37 of the Constitution.
"Every person has the right, peaceably and unarmed, to assemble, to demonstrate, to picket, and to present petitions to public authorities," he said, quoting the Constitution.
The spokesperson said police should never use live bullets to disperse protesters.
"The policing of protests must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies, and any use of force must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination," he added.
In his statement, Mutua dismissed as 'untrue' reports that the international community is mediating between President William Ruto and Opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Mutua instead said it is only concerned and "watching" the current situation in the country.
"Our international friends are not involved in any mediation process but they are watching what is happening," Mutua said.
His response came a day after Russia called out some Western nations for allegedly interfering with Kenya's affairs.
"If it is not interference in internal affairs, what is it?” Russia’s mission in Nairobi said in a statement.
This was after 13 ambassadors said they are ready to support conciliatory efforts that would be taken by the two sides in finding constructive and peaceful solutions to the conflict.
In a joint statement issued Tuesday, the envoys said they are saddened by the deaths and concerned by the high levels of violence that characterised the recent anti-government demos, including the use of live ammunition.
"We recognise the daily hardships faced by many Kenyans and urge all parties to table their concerns through meaningful dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully to build the nation together, ensuring no further loss of life," the envoys said.
The countries, including the UK, the United States, Canada and Australia, issued a joint statement over the Azimio demonstrations.
Mutua also claimed that Azimio's goal is to take over the government.
He urged Azimio leaders to adopt dialogue and call off demonstrations.
"We have had a well-recognised democratic system of dialogue that was going very well at Parliament where leaders sit and talk," he said.
"This is not about individuals, it is about government and we have the opposition and elected leaders but Azimio walked out because it does not achieve their goals, their goal is to take over the government. Their goal is to try and have a coup of sorts and to go through the backdoor."