President William Ruto's United Democratic Party (UDA), has warned the United Nations against issuing 'biased' analysis of the ongoing anti-govt demonstrations.
In the statement dated Saturday, July 22 and signed by Cleophas Malala, the party's Secretary General, UDA claimed that the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights erred by publishing an assessment without understanding the full context of the demonstrations.
Malala thus cautioned that such 'one-sided' pronouncements could jeopardise the independence of the institution.
“The Kenya Kwanza Coalition is also disappointed that the statement fails to condemn the opposition for resorting to violence after losing at the ballot box in a free and fair election; and thereafter losing an election petition before the Supreme Court.” the statement read in part.
Malala, a former Kakamega Senator, lamented that the UN's criticism could mean that it supported alleged efforts by the opposition to seize power unlawfully.
“This failure by the office of the high commissioner for human rights to condemn the opposition's refusal to accept free and fair electoral and judicial outcomes may be interpreted, at home and abroad, as a statement by the United Nations that free and fair elections do not matter.
"That independent and fair election dispute resolution processes do not matter, and that political power is not something to be secured at the ballot box but rather to be seized through violent acts of insurrection against the Constitution,” the statement read.
Malala further defended the police, arguing that they exercised great restraint despite being provoked to react to well-organised and well-funded saboteurs.
He emphasised that several officers died in previous protests organised by the opposition while some were nursing critical injuries.
“Every Kenyan who wishes to protest peacefully, picket or petition can do so safely and securely; and in a manner that does not infringe on the health, safety and enjoyment of rights of others," Malala advocated for peaceful protests.
On July 14, the UN office for human rights expressed concern about widespread violence, and allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including the use of firearms, by police during protests.
It urged the police to conduct transparent investigations and arrest those found culpable of injuring or killing protesters.
