In a fervent address during the National Wildlife Census launch in Narok on June 19, 2024, Tourism Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua strongly condemned the recent turn of events during the Occupy Parliament protests, which resulted in severe injuries to a senior police officer.
“Violence is not allowed,” Mutua declared, emphasizing that peaceful protest must not devolve into chaos and harm.
Mutua specifically blamed protestors for the incident, in which a police officer lost his hands due to a teargas canister explosion amid the demonstrations against the Finance Bill, 2024.
“Huyo askari amepoteza mikono, hiyo damu yake imemwagika is on you who were demonstrating and causing violence,”
He highlighted the critical need for respect towards law enforcement, reminding the public that officers, like all citizens, deserve dignity and care.
Mutua urged the demonstrators to remember that police officers endure pain and sorrow in their line of duty, often underappreciated and facing harsh conditions.
“Police officers are human beings; they feel the pain, they feel the sorrow and they are working. We should not treat them as less important,” Mutua remarked, stressing that these officers are the same individuals people turn to for help during emergencies.
Acknowledging the right to protest, Mutua called for non-violent demonstrations to safeguard public safety and maintain order. He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to peace and the well-being of its citizens, suggesting that the proposed measures are in the country’s best interest.
“This government of President William Ruto is peaceful; we do not want to hurt Kenyans. We are trying to do the best for this country,” Mutua emphasized, urging the public to process information critically and avoid being swayed by propaganda that incites violence.
Drawing on international examples, Mutua noted that protests over financial policies in other countries, such as Tanzania and France, do not typically escalate to violence or result in harm to law enforcement officers.
He questioned whether such actions against the police were truly warranted in response to the Finance Bill.
