Human rights organisation, Amnesty International, has petitioned President William Ruto to release “abducted and detained” anti-Finance Bill protesters and also set up a judicial commission of enquiry to probe “violence” unleashed on protesters during the nationwide protests. 

“We call on the Government of Kenya and the police to exercise restraint and protect citizens’ right to protest, release all those abducted and currently detained and respect the roles of doctors, lawyers, journalists and human rights defenders,” Amnesty International said. 

In an online petition on its website, Amnesty International requested the public to “Sign the petition now and demand a Judicial Commission of Enquiry into the violence leading up to and during 25 June.” 

The human rights organisation condemned Kenyan police killing citizens, who are “frustrated” and “overburdened” by the high cost of living, protesting against the controversial Finance Bill seeking imposition of tax on cars, phones, bread, sanitary pads and other commodities.

“Police in Kenya have been filmed shooting live rounds at peaceful protestors who attempted to enter parliament. Twenty one protestors have been killed, and several others have been injured in several towns across Kenya. This is a matter of utmost urgency. The rights and safety of Kenyan citizens are at stake and immediate action is required to prevent further injustices,” the human rights organisation said.

Amnesty International Kenya accused Mr Ruto of inciting the police to kill citizens, calling for him to be tried at the International Criminal Court.

For weeks, protests have rocked Kenya, from Nairobi to Migori, Mr Ruto’s Edoret to Mombasa, Kisumu to other parts of the country as citizens vehemently rejected the controversial Finance Bill despite suffering brutal attacks from police. 

On Wednesday, Mr Ruto bowed to pressure withdrawing the controversial bill after police killed 25 citizens, abductions over 50 and injured hundreds, while youths remained on the streets. 

To placate protesters, Mr Ruto, who earlier in the week labelled anti-tax protest “treasonous” and refused to sympathise with those killed and injured by police during the protests, said he held a meeting with 96 bishops of Independent Pentecostal Church Africa on how to provide opportunities for Kenyan youth. 

Mr Ruto, in a post on X on Saturday, said his government plans to embark on a multi-sectoral forum to create “affordable housing programmes, digital jobs, labour migration amongst other opportunities for youths.

In response to Mr Ruto’s Saturday’s announcement, some Kenyans who are apparently still angry over the killing of protesters by police dismissed the president’s engagement with clerics as a wrong priority. 

“You are addressing the wrong crowd, visit the hospitals and morgues across the country and see for yourself the atrocities you have committed against the Kenyan youths, those are the people you should be addressing. 

Faith and Prayers cannot fix a broken nation. #RutoMustGo,” an X user, @Ramzy_y sai.

Another X user, @Bigjoe_KE said, “Young people were never your priority, otherwise, what happened to free basic education? What happened to affordable university education? You will not believe it!”

@RobinsoMuiru said, “How many of these religious leaders are ICT experts to understand the digital jobs available? How many AI/AGI companies have they initiated? Are there robotics companies these leaders have propagated? Other continents are building EVs, humanoids like optimus from Tesla, while church leaders are used to oversee things development in Africa.”