Julius Malema hits out at President Ruto over police brutality
Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has sharply criticized President William Ruto over police brutality witnessed during the Wednesday June 25 protests.
Julius Malema’s Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) has sharply criticized President William Ruto over police brutality witnessed during the Wednesday June 25 protests.
In a strongly worded statement, EFF condemned the use of excessive force by law enforcement agencies to quell protestors.
“The people of Kenya, led by courageous and conscious youth, returned to the streets in nationwide protests to mark the one-year anniversary of the deadly June 25, 2024, demonstrations, where over 60 people were killed while opposing the IMF-backed Finance Bill. That bill, now scrapped due to mass resistance, sought to burden the poor while protecting elites, exposing a regime committed to profit over people.
“What began as a rejection of economic injustice has now grown into a widespread demand for an end to state corruption, police brutality, and impunity at the highest levels of government. It is a movement led by the youth, and in response, President Ruto has unleashed state-sponsored violence and censorship,” read the statement in part.
The EFF party also slammed the Kenyan government’s move to shutdown of media stations over covering the June 25 protests live.
The Malema-led party accused President Ruto of using the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to suppress media freedom and instill fear among Kenyans.
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“In a further act of desperation, President Ruto directed the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) to ban all live broadcasts of the protests, citing a deliberate misreading of the Constitution, which, in fact, protects freedom of expression and media independence. This act of media censorship was immediately challenged and suspended by the High Court, but it revealed the government’s true intent: to control the narrative, hide its crimes, and rule by fear,” EFF stated.
Further EFF urged President Ruto to put to an end police brutality, media censorship and to ensure those behind killings of the protestors are held accountable.
“We call on President Ruto to end all acts of state violence and censorship; hold those responsible for these killings and those of last year’s protests accountable; restore full media freedom; and face the people with answers and immediate reforms, not force. The world is watching, and Africa is watching,” EFF concluded.
On Wednesday, Kenyans returned to the streets in large numbers for the June 25 protests.
The protests were witnessed nationwide, including in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisii, Kajiado, Makueni, Nyeri, Uasin Gishu, Embu, Machakos, and Nyandarua counties.
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