Raila Joins US Protesters Over George Floyd's Murder

US President Donald Trump (Trump) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga
US President Donald Trump (Trump) and former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
Twitter

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga has condemned increased police brutality in the country as he joined thousands of people protesting against the murder of George Floyd in the US.

In a statement released on Tuesday, June 2, he disclosed that he prayed for justice to be served for the murder noting that it was high time dark-skinned people stopped being judged over the colour of their skin.

In the message, Raila called out police brutality that has rocked the country recently since President Uhuru Kenyatta ordered a dusk-to-dawn curfew and the cessation of movement.

"I join thousands out there in saying a prayer for the family of George Floyd and - more importantly for the US - a prayer that there be justice and freedom for all human beings who call America their country and that citizens be judged by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.

A protester, Tony L. Clark, raises a George Floyd poster outside the Cup Food convenience store in Mineapolis on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
A protester, Tony L. Clark, raises a George Floyd poster outside the Cup Food convenience store in Mineapolis on Thursday, May 28, 2020.
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"It is a prayer America can fulfill for George and all its citizens. It is a prayer that we in Africa too owe our citizens even as we stand with Floyd's family in the US," he noted.

His message came as a section of Kenyans marshaled each other and held a demonstration at the US Embassy in Nairobi.

A report by Missing Voices indicates that 77 people have either died or gone missing since January 2020 due to police brutality in the country.

Compounded, the figure stands at 689 for all people who have been killed by the police since Missing Voices was formed in 2007.

The latest case, which happened on the night of Monday, June 1, involved one old man who was shot dead on his way back home.

Former Mabatini MCA aspirant, Patrick Juma Ojiambo, told Kenyans.co.ke that the old man, commonly known as Vaite was reportedly shot at by the police after they confronted him for flouting curfew rules.

The 7:10 p.m incident forced residents to light fires and riot against the police.

Globally, protests against the murder of Floyd have taken a life of their own with a shockingly unified entrance by most African embassies condemning the act.

"We are deeply troubled by the death of Mr. George Floyd in Minneapolis. The U.S. Department of Justice is conducting a full criminal investigation as a top priority. Law enforcement officials must be held accountable in every country," stated the US Embassy in Nairobi.

Other countries such as the DRC and Uganda also put out statement condemning the act.

Protesters hold demonstrations in Washington DC on May 29, 2020, over the murder of George Floyd.
Protesters hold demonstrations in Washington DC on May 29, 2020, over the murder of George Floyd.
Time
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