- In a statement on Wednesday, Faki called on all involved to instead engage in constructive dialogue to address the issues at play.
- He called for peace, to maintain the stability and security of the country.
Image: FILE
The Africa Union Commission chairperson Moussa Faki has called on Kenyans to refrain from any further violence, amid the ongoing anti-Finance Bill protests.
In a statement on Wednesday, Faki said called on all involved to instead engage in constructive dialogue to address the issues at play.
"The Chairperson of the African Union Commission is following with deep concern the outbreaks of violence following public protests in Kenya, which has resulted in loss of life and damage to property," he said
"The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and refrain from further violence. The Chairperson also appeals to national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues that led to the protests in the supreme interest of Kenya."
Faki called for peace in order to maintain the stability and security of the country.
Earlier, the United Nations SG Antonio Guterres said that he was saddened by reports of deaths and injuries that occurred during the protests.
"I am deeply saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries - including of journalists and medical personnel - connected to protests and street demonstrations in Kenya," Guterres said in a statement on Wednesday.
The UN boss went on to appeal to the Kenya government to exercise restraint when dealing with anti-Finance Bill protesters.
Tuesday's protests were the most heated since they began, on June 18.
The protesters, mainly youths, stormed the streets to demand the rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024, in countrywide demos that also rocked President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s home turfs.
Gunshots, tears and running battles marked the demos even as the MPs voted to amend various clauses fronted by the National Assembly’s Finance Committee.
The MPs eventually passed the Bill.
Transport was paralysed and business premises closed hurriedly as gunshots and tear gas rent the air in major towns across the country.
Ruto’s hometown, Eldoret, in Uasin Gishu county and Gachagua’s Nyeri town in Nyeri county, witnessed massive protests for the second time in as many weeks.
The youths overpowered anti-riot police, forcefully stormed Parliament and tried to set it ablaze on a day of chaos and bloodletting as anti-tax law demos swept the country.
Police fired bullets, killing an unknown number of people as MPs fled the rowdy mobs.