Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), Moussa Faki Mahamat, has called for calm in Kenya as thousands of citizens march against the government.
Development Diaries reports that one person was killed in the protests in the western city of Kisumu, according to the head of a local hospital, bringing the total number of fatalities since the protests started last week to two.
It was gathered that police used water cannons and tear gas to disperse many protesters who marched on Monday on the streets of Nairobi.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga and his party, Azimio la Umoja–One Kenya Coalition, are leading the protests against the rising cost of living and calling for President William Ruto’s resignation.
‘The chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and engage in dialogue to address any differences that may exist in the supreme interest of national unity and reconciliation’, an AUC statement read.
He reiterated the total solidarity with and support for the government and the people of Kenya as they work towards national unity, peace and stability in the East African country.
Odinga’s legal challenge against the outcome of the 2022 presidential election was thrown out by the courts, but he continues to allege that the poll was marred by fraud.
He has urged his followers to take to the streets twice a week, on Mondays and Thursdays.
Photo source: Brian Otieno/Reuters
