The sustained anti-governemnt protests fueled by youthful Kenyans locally have spread to the diaspora as Kenyans residing in America are set to stage a protest at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters to demand for accountability over the death of Kenyans killed in the wake of what they have termed IMF-backed austerity measures.....CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE>>>
The demonstrations are slated for Saturday, July 20, 2024 comes days after president William Ruto accused American based charitable organization, the Ford Foundation for allegedly funding what he termed as “anarchy” in the country.
During the landmark planned protests to be staged outside IMF offices in the USA, Kenyans will demand for answers regarding arbitrary disappearances in the wake of the youth-led anti-government demonstrations.
“We demand that the IMF take full responsibility for the deaths of the youth opposing their neocolonial programs of debt entrapment.
These measures have exacerbated economic hardships and pushed many Kenyans to the brink. Furthermore, the excessive use of force against peaceful demonstrators reflects a callous disregard for human rights and democratic freedom by the IMF and Ruto axis.” A statement by Kenyans in Diaspora read in part.
According to the Diaspora community, IMF has remained silent throughout the unrest in Kenya despite its measures being the bone of contention.
The IMF had in May predicted unrest in the face of the passage of the controversial Finance Bill, urging President William Ruto to be firm with the measures.
The head of state would however decline to sign the bill into law following the protests that led to at least 41 people dead with several others left nursing different degrees of injuries.
In a rejoinder to president’s accusations, Ford Foundation has since denied Ruto’s allegation of funding the ongoing anti-government protests in the country which have turned chaotic.
The foundation dismissed the allegations adding that it acknowledged the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a better country as was the motive of the protests.
Additionally, the foundation emphasised that it did not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the Finance Bill 2024.
The protests began on June 18 and resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of injuries and withdrawal of the bill.
“While we acknowledge the right of Kenyans to peacefully advocate for a just and equitable country, we repudiate any actions or speech that are hateful or advocate violence against any institution, individual or community. We do not fund or sponsor the recent protests against the finance bill and have a strictly non-partisan policy of all our grantmaking.” The foundation said.
The foundation with headquarters in New York emphasised that it was committed to building its legacy of more than 60 years in the region so that Kenyans can unlock opportunities that benefit all.
Furthermore, the foundation added that it would continue to support Kenya in its development and leadership on an African and global stage as witnessed in the support for the inaugural African Climate Summit in Nairobi last year…CONTINUE READING>>
