Jeremiah Kioni, the Jubilee Party Secretary General, shed tears as he condemned the recent wave of killings and disappearances that have accompanied anti-government protests in Kenya. His remarks highlighted the deep divisions, fear, and violence that have gripped the nation following a series of protests over economic issues, notably triggered by tax increases in the Finance Bill 2024.
The protests, which began in June and July 2024, spread across major towns, with Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa experiencing the most intense demonstrations. The government’s heavy-handed response, which included lethal force, has resulted in widespread condemnation. Families have been left searching for missing loved ones, with human rights organizations documenting alarming numbers of deaths, enforced disappearances, and arrests.
This article delves into the context surrounding the protests, the government’s controversial response, and Kioni’s emotional reaction, exploring the broader implications for Kenya’s political landscape and human rights.
The Economic Roots of the Protests
The protests that engulfed Kenya in mid-2024 were initially sparked by the government’s introduction of the Finance Bill 2024, which proposed significant tax increases. The move, seen as part of President William Ruto’s economic recovery plan, was met with widespread resistance. Kenyans, already grappling with high inflation, unemployment, and economic uncertainty, viewed the bill as an additional burden that would further exacerbate their financial woes.
Protesters took to the streets demanding the withdrawal of the bill, which they argued would drive many citizens deeper into poverty. The demonstrations quickly evolved from economic grievances to political demands, with opposition leaders calling for Ruto’s resignation and decrying what they perceived as an increasingly authoritarian regime. The protests became a stage for citizens to voice their frustrations with the government’s handling of the economy and governance issues.
Government Response: Lethal Force and Human Rights Violations
What began as largely peaceful protests escalated into violent confrontations between demonstrators and security forces. The Kenyan government, led by the Interior Ministry and police, responded with a heavy hand, deploying riot police and paramilitary units to suppress the protests. The crackdown resulted in numerous deaths, injuries, and the arrest of thousands of protesters.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki admitted before the National Assembly that the protests had resulted in 42 deaths, 132 missing persons, and the arrest of 1,208 individuals. However, human rights organizations disputed these figures, with some reports suggesting that 61 people had been killed during the protests. They further noted 67 cases of enforced disappearances, of which only 40 had been resolved, leaving 27 families in limbo, unable to account for their loved ones.
The brutal suppression of protests in cities like Nairobi, Kisumu, and Mombasa garnered international attention, with organizations like Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch condemning the Kenyan government for its use of excessive force. The images of young men and women being shot at by police, and reports of arbitrary arrests and disappearances, shocked the nation and the world.
Jeremiah Kioni’s Emotional Plea
Against this backdrop, Jeremiah Kioni emerged as a vocal critic of the government’s handling of the protests. His tearful appearance during a YouTube interview, in which he broke down as he spoke about the deaths of young protesters, brought a human face to the tragedies unfolding across Kenya.
Kioni, a veteran politician and former Member of Parliament, expressed deep sorrow for the families who had lost their children in the protests. His voice broke as he recounted the stories of young Kenyans who had been killed while simply demanding their right to an education and economic reform.
“What hurts me, and it is difficult to say… when we saw our young people in the streets asking for a right to be educated, and police came out and started shooting them,” Kioni said, his emotions spilling over on screen.
Kioni further expressed his frustration with the lack of accountability for the violence. He noted that many families were too afraid to speak out about their missing children, fearing reprisals from what he described as a “killer squad” operating outside the normal police command structure. This chilling claim suggested that rogue elements within the security forces were responsible for the worst of the violence and disappearances.
The Allegations of a Killer Squad
One of the most explosive allegations made by Kioni during his interview was the existence of a “killer squad” operating in Kenya, which he claimed was not under the direct control of the police leadership. According to Kioni, this rogue unit was responsible for many of the killings and disappearances, and former police chief Japhet Koome’s resignation was linked to his inability to control this shadowy group.
“The killer squad is not under the police command. I bet that is why Koome resigned because there were people not under his command, and he was being held responsible for the mess,” Kioni asserted.
Koome resigned in July 2024, after weeks of violent protests that had left the country reeling. His departure, which was seen as a sign of discontent within the police force, added fuel to the fire of speculation that certain elements within the government were operating outside the law.
The idea of a state-sanctioned, but unofficial, “killer squad” has been a recurring theme in Kenya’s troubled political history. In the past, similar groups have been accused of targeting political opponents, activists, and even ordinary citizens, with little to no oversight from the government. Kioni’s allegations, if true, suggest a dangerous level of impunity within the security forces, one that threatens to undermine the rule of law and democracy in Kenya.
Human Rights and the Struggle for Accountability
The human rights situation in Kenya has become a pressing issue in light of the 2024 protests. The deaths, disappearances, and arbitrary arrests have raised serious concerns about the government’s commitment to upholding the constitutional rights of its citizens. Human rights organizations have called for thorough investigations into the actions of the police and security forces, as well as the role of the alleged “killer squad.”
The unresolved cases of missing persons, in particular, have become a source of immense pain for affected families. Many of those who disappeared were young men and women, caught up in the protests or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time. Families have been left in the dark, not knowing whether their loved ones are dead or alive, and fearing retaliation if they speak out.
In addition to calling for justice for the victims, activists have urged the government to take steps to ensure that such incidents do not happen again. This includes reforming the police force, ensuring greater accountability for officers involved in human rights abuses, and providing compensation to the families of those who were killed or disappeared.
The Political Implications
The protests and the government’s response have had significant political implications. President Ruto’s administration has come under intense scrutiny, both domestically and internationally, for its handling of the unrest. The opposition, led by figures such as Raila Odinga and Jeremiah Kioni, has capitalized on the government’s perceived failures, using the protests as a platform to push for broader political and economic reforms.
The call for Ruto’s resignation has grown louder in some quarters, as citizens express frustration with his government’s inability to address the economic crisis and its increasingly authoritarian tendencies. The administration’s reliance on brute force to suppress dissent has only deepened the divide between the government and the people, creating an atmosphere of fear and mistrust.
At the same time, the resignation of Japhet Koome as the police chief has raised questions about the future of law enforcement in Kenya. His departure, amid allegations of rogue elements within the security forces, suggests a deeper institutional crisis that will need to be addressed if Kenya is to move forward as a stable and democratic nation.
Conclusion
The emotional plea of Jeremiah Kioni, as he shed tears for the victims of state-sanctioned violence, has struck a chord with many Kenyans. His condemnation of the government’s response to the 2024 protests, and his allegations of a “killer squad” operating outside the control of the police, have shone a spotlight on the human rights abuses that have marred the country’s political landscape.
As Kenya grapples with the fallout from the protests, the government faces mounting pressure to deliver justice for the victims and to reform the security forces. The deaths and disappearances of young protesters have become a national tragedy, one that demands accountability, transparency, and a renewed commitment to the rule of law.
In the weeks and months ahead, the struggle for justice will continue, with families, activists, and politicians like Kioni leading the charge for change. Whether the government will heed their calls remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the wounds of 2024 will not heal easily. The country stands at a crossroads, with its future direction hanging in the balance.
