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June 25 Protests: Moses Kuria Urges Restraint, Asks Police to Return Unused Teargas
President William Ruto's Senior Economic Advisor, Moses Kuria on Wednesday morning cautioned police officers against provoking peaceful demonstrators by using tear gas canisters offensively to disperse them.
Kuria also challenged police officers to return all the unused tear gas canisters to their respective stations even as protests intensify across the country.
The former Public Service Cabinet Secretary, in a brief statement, commended Kenyans for coming out to peacefully exercise their democratic right to demonstrate.
While applauding the protesters, he urged them to avoid confrontations with the police and to maintain tranquillity throughout the day.
"I am largely happy that Gen Z demonstrations across the country are largely peaceful, as it should be. I also want to commend the police for exercising restraint so far," Kuria commented.
"I urge the police to keep up with the restraint and remember that not every teargas canister that leaves the station must be used in the streets," he added.
Kuria's plea comes hours after chaos erupted in Nairobi's Central Business District (CBD) following a confrontation between protesters and anti-riot police officers.
The protesters were marching along the city streets to mark a year since the anti-finance demonstrations that left tens of young Kenyans dead, when the police began pelting tear gas canisters at them.
In some parts of the city, the protesters were joined by senior political figures, including former Chief Justice David Maraga, Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and his DAP-Kenya counterpart Eugene Wamalwa.
Addressing the press at the Nairobi CBD, Maraga criticised the police for allegedly using excessive force on peaceful protesters, reiterating that such actions contravened the constitution.
"We strongly condemn the use of state violence against grieving families and peaceful protesters. The flagrant violation of the Constitution and human rights must stop," Maraga stated.
Maraga's sentiments were echoed by People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua, who termed the use of force by the police as an act of cowardice.
