A faction of leaders from Embu County has called for an immediate halt to the ongoing anti-government protests, citing concerns that the situation could spiral into a full-blown civil war. This plea comes amidst rising tensions and escalating violence that have overshadowed the original intentions of the demonstrations.
The protests, initially sparked by young people advocating for improved governance and accountability, have increasingly been marred by violence and lawlessness. Former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti and Mbeere North MP Geoffrey Ruku have voiced their apprehension that what began as legitimate demands for change has deteriorated into chaos, with criminal elements hijacking the movement for their own destructive purposes.
Senator Kivuti, speaking at the 25th Anniversary of St. Jude ACK Gitii Secondary School in Mbeere North Constituency, underscored the gravity of the situation. He warned that the current unrest posed a significant threat to Kenya’s political and economic stability. Kivuti expressed fears that if the violence and destruction continued, the country could face imminent collapse, drawing parallels to recent unrest in other African nations like Sudan, which has experienced severe instability and breakdown.
“We cannot afford to lose Kenya,” Kivuti emphasized. He acknowledged that the younger generation’s call for reform was both legitimate and necessary, asserting that the government must address their demands. However, he also condemned the criminal activities that have infiltrated the protests, stressing the need to prevent further escalation and maintain national unity.
MP Geoffrey Ruku echoed these sentiments, condemning the looting and property destruction that has characterized some of the protests. He argued that what is being witnessed across various parts of the country is far removed from peaceful demonstrations or lawful protest activities. According to Ruku, the current unrest is marked by “acts of lawlessness” rather than the constitutionally endorsed forms of dissent.
Ruku’s call for decisive action from the government to address the perpetrators of violence highlights the growing concern among leaders that unchecked chaos could undermine the country’s stability. “We cannot create a culture of destroying property and lives in the name of demonstrations,” Ruku asserted, reinforcing the need for law and order amidst the growing unrest.
The leaders’ appeal for an end to the protests reflects a broader concern about the potential for further deterioration of the situation. While the demand for good governance remains a critical issue, the leaders stress that the methods employed must align with peaceful and lawful means. They argue that allowing the situation to continue unchecked could lead to further violence and a potential breakdown in social order.
The call for a cessation of protests is also a plea for restoring dialogue and seeking constructive solutions to the issues at hand. By addressing the underlying grievances through peaceful negotiations and reforms, rather than through violent confrontations, the hope is to prevent further division and conflict within the country.
As the situation unfolds, the focus will likely shift towards finding a balanced approach that addresses the legitimate demands of the younger generation while curbing the activities of those exploiting the unrest for personal gain. The challenge will be to navigate this delicate balance to ensure that Kenya can move forward without descending into the chaos that has plagued other nations in similar circumstances.
The leaders from Embu County’s intervention underscores the urgent need for a resolution to the current unrest, emphasizing that the future of Kenya hinges on a return to stability and a commitment to addressing issues through lawful and peaceful means.
