Azimio leader Raila Odinga has condemned the brutal killing of anti-Finance Bill protesters in the country and urged the government to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024.

In a statement dated June 25, 2024, Raila noted that it was wrong for police officers to kill peaceful protesters who were exercising their democratic rights.

“I am disturbed at the murders, arrests, detentions and surveillance being perpetrated by police on boys and girls who are only seeking to be heard over taxation policies that are stealing both their present and future.

“The starting point to ending this impasse and cruel bloodletting is for the government to immediately and unconditionally withdraw the Finance Bill and make way for a fresh start and dialogue,” Raila stated.

Raila’s remarks emerged after police shot dead several protesters who had stormed parliament buildings on Tuesday.

“The constitution seems to have been suspended. We cannot allow that. The government has unleashed brute force on our country’s children and more seems to be on the way,” he added.

According to the Azimio leader, the country is paying a steep price for obstinacy of the government. 

At the same time, Raila regretted that matters that should have been resolved through dialogue and humility have degenerated into developments that have never been witnessed in the 61-year history of Kenya since independence.

The Azimio leader said he had hoped that the government would show goodwill and humility and at least listen to the country’s children. 

“Instead, every dissenting opinion has been dismissed and ridiculed by government officials and ruling party politicians and such dissenting voices are now being silenced by brutality and murder,” said Raila.

“We can’t and won’t tolerate any extra minute of this murder spree and violence that could have been and can still be avoided,” he added.

He emphasized that Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs and a listening ear. 

In addition, the Azimio leader urged police to immediately stop shooting innocent, peaceful and unarmed protesting children who are asking for guarantees of a better tomorrow from the State.

Raila explained that the grievances and frustrations of the protesting boys and girls run extremely deep and wide. 

“The immediate trigger however is the Finance Bill. This Bill is neither an emergency nor a life and death matter for the government and Kenyans,” he noted.