Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has called on the government to listen to Kenyans following the anti-Finance Bill protests that turned chaotic on Tuesday, June 25.
In a statement, Uhuru advised elected leaders to embrace dialogue and find solutions to the issues facing Kenyans.
According to Uhuru, listening was not a choice for elected leaders but a mandate.
The former President also expressed his sympathies over the loss of lives that were witnessed in the Tuesday protests.
"At this trying time for our Country, I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people.
"Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very basis and philosophy of democracy," he stated.
Uhuru made the remarks shortly after President William Ruto addressed the nation. In his address, Ruto expressed the Tuesday events as treasonous.
Ruto alleged that the peaceful protests had been hijacked by criminal elements adding that the government would counter their actions.
"I have directed all organs of our national security to deploy measures to thwart any attempts by dangerous criminals to undermine the security and stability of our country," Ruto stated.
"As the people of Kenya go to bed tonight, I give you my assurance that the safety of your families and properties remains my utmost priority."
Here is the Statement by Uhuru;
My fellow Kenyans,
I come to you with a heavy heart. Saddened by the loss of lives occasioned by the current situation prevailing in our country. it is the right of every Kenyan to protest as determined as determined by the constitution we all promulgated in 2010. It is also the duty of leaders to listen to those they lead.
At this trying time for our country, I want to remind all leaders that they were elected by the people. Listening to the people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very basis and philosophy of democracy.
Leaders must know that the power and authority they have is donated to them by the people.
I, therefore, call for calm and for the leadership to show restraint and do the right thing by listening to the people and not be antagonistic to them. Violence on either side is not the answer.
As your former president, I have felt the weight and the difficulty of leading Kenya. I, therefore, pray for wisdom and civility to be established and for peace and progress to belong to all of us as children of Kenya.
Dear Kenyans, I stand with you and I ask our leadership to embrace dialogue and speak to the people and not at the people. I pray for peace and understanding on the part of each and every Kenyan and for all of us to remember that Kenya is bigger than one of us; there is nothing cast in stone that cannot be changed.
