Justice and Equity Council United Kingdom has announced a call for mass protests in Kenya, starting on August 8, 2024.
Through the group chairman Sebastian Onyango,they say they have been motivated by incompetence and corruption within the Kenyan government.
Speaking to the press, Onyango has criticized the Kenyan national assembly for passing a series of controversial laws, including the Court of Appeal-repealed Finance Act 2023, the Finance Act of 2024, the CDF Act, and the proposed Livestock Act. According to the Council, these laws are unconstitutional and highlight the national assembly’s failure to resist executive pressure and effectively hold the government accountable.
The Council has raised serious concerns about the actions of the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), accusing the office of terminating corruption cases without proper consultation with investigative agencies, which they consider an abuse of power. They are calling for a judicial review of the DPP’s conduct and a comprehensive review of all corruption cases dismissed since 2022.
Additionally, the Council urges the Kenya Revenue Authority and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission to investigate the financial dealings of cabinet secretaries to ensure transparency and to ascertain whether their wealth is derived from legitimate sources.
The Council is also critical of the recent appointments of certain cabinet secretaries, some of whom are alleged to have been involved in corruption or are under investigation by the EACC. They argue that the national assembly’s approval of these appointments is a misuse of public resources and contrary to the public interest.
In a direct challenge to President Ruto, the Council calls for his resignation and the establishment of a caretaker government to oversee new elections by August 2025. They accuse the president and his advisors of failing to uphold the 2010 Constitution and repeatedly neglecting their duty to protect and defend it.
They have critised the reappointment of Prof. Kindiki as the internal security cabinet secretary has also been condemned.
The Council cites numerous cases of police brutality, forced disappearances, and a lack of accountability during his previous tenure. They stress that state security should prioritize the safety of the Kenyan people, not just government buildings and politicians.
Reflecting on the events of June 25, 2024, the Council notes the government’s ongoing disregard for public demands for ethical and competent leadership. They are calling for peaceful assembly and picketing from August 8, 2024, until the current administration steps down and new elections are organized. The Council emphasizes the importance of non-violence and urges security forces to refrain from using force against protestors.
They say a call for protests is set to be a significant moment in Kenya’s political landscape. With growing public dissatisfaction over corruption and governance issues, the upcoming demonstrations are expected to draw widespread participation from citizens demanding meaningful change and accountability from their leaders.
