The United States government has reminded Kenyan President William Ruto of citizens’ rights to protest amid waves of prevailing demonstrations rocking the country.

In a statement released by the U.S. Department of State on Thursday, Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken is reported to have emphasised the importance of the freedoms of assembly and expression guaranteed by Kenya’s constitution. 

Mr Blinken, in his conversation with Mr Ruto, the statement said, “underscored the importance of freedoms of assembly and expression as enshrined in Kenyan’s constitution, emphasised the vital role played by youth and civil society organisations in healthy democracies, and urged respect for their contributions to Kenya’s development.”

This reminder from the U.S. comes amid nearly six weeks of widespread protests that have severely disrupted economic and commercial activities in Kenya. 

The demonstrations were initially sparked by a controversial Finance Bill proposing new taxes on cars, phones, bread, and other essential commodities, which were introduced on 18 June. 

Kenyan police had imposed a ban on protests in Nairobi, the capital, but a court overturned this decision, affirming the citizens’ right to protest. 

The unrest has resulted in the death of at least 50 civilians as police deployed excessive force in attempts to suppress the demonstrators.