The Executive Council and members of the African Public Relations Association (APRA) have expressed condolences with the people of Kenya over the ongoing crisis in the country.
This was as it stated that it stands in solidarity with its colleagues in the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK).
This was contained in a press statement dated 26 September issued by the APRA Secretary -General, Omoniyi Ibietan, Ph.D.
APRA, in the statement, urged the President William Ruto-led Kenyan Government to put the people first in all its actions and decisions.
“We urge the Government of Kenya to put the people of Kenya first and, in a show of conversational capacity as already indicated by the Presidency, undertake stakeholder consultations with empathy and an openness to reconciliation.
“We commiserate with the families of those who died and wish a speedy recovery to those injured during the protests. We fervently pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased,” it was stated in the statement.
President Ruto Caves In As Death Toll Rises To 23
Recall that Kenya has been engulfed in a crisis in the last one week as the people took to the streets of Nairobi. It was in protest against the proposed Finance Bill 2024 by the government.
The Bill, it was reported, was a proposed tax hikes on bread and diapers, but which young Kenyans are resisting.
In one week, what began as an online outpouring of anger by young Kenyans at the proposed taxes on bread and diapers has morphed into nationwide movement.
The otherwise peaceful protest became violent. Reports have it that about 23 people have been killed in the protest (Reuters).
The protesters stormed the Kenyan Parliament, destroying public utilities, just as security agents reportedly opened fire on them.
At least eight people reportedly died on Tuesday when police opened fire on crowds. The protesters tried to enter the Parliament to demonstrate against tax hikes.
The protests have built up into a much wider groundswell of anger, constituting the most serious crisis of Ruto’s two-year-old presidency.
The slogans have shifted from protest against tax hikes to calls for a complete political overhaul. “Ruto must go!” crowds chanted.
As reported by Reuters, in the midst of the criss, President Ruto, on Wednesday, withdrew the planned tax hikes.
The president bowed to pressure from the protesters who launched demonstrations across the country and and threatened more actions this week.
Amidst demands for his resignation, Ruto announced that he would not sign the Finance Bill, including the tax increases. This was a day after clashes between police and protesters at the Parliament and nationwide. The clash left at least 23 people dead and scores wounded, according to medics.
“Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede.
“Therefore, I will not sign the 2024 Finance Bill. It shall subsequently be withdrawn,” President Ruto said in a televised address.
