Foreign Embassies Urge Peace & Transparency In Protest Anniversary

As Kenya prepares to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the 2024 anti-Finance Bill protests on June 25, 2025, a coalition of foreign embassies and high commissions in Kenya has issued a joint statement. Released on June 24, the statement calls upon both the Kenyan government and the public to ensure peaceful demonstrations, uphold human rights, and guarantee transparency in addressing any protest-related violence.

Honoring the Fallen and Upholding Rights

The envoys began their address by remembering those who lost their lives during the protests last year. They reaffirmed every Kenyan’s constitutional right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression, stating,

“We remember those who lost their lives and reaffirm every Kenyan’s right to peaceful assembly and to express themselves.”

A Call for Peaceful Demonstrations and Compliance with Law

With anticipated protests on June 25, the foreign missions urged all parties to facilitate peaceful demonstrations and actively avoid violence. They specifically condemned the use of plain-clothed police officers in unmarked vehicles, noting that this practice undermines public trust and has already been declared unlawful by Kenya’s High Court. The statement emphasized the need for full compliance with this ruling.

Concerns Over Disruption and Intimidation

The joint statement also highlighted concerns about the alleged use of “hired goons” to infiltrate and disrupt peaceful gatherings. The diplomats stressed that protecting the right to protest is crucial for maintaining civic space and safeguarding Kenya’s democratic integrity, expressing their disturbance by such tactics.

Demand for Transparency and Justice

Concluding their statement, the envoys reiterated their call for transparent and independent investigations into all incidents of violence against peaceful demonstrators. They underscored that accountability is not only vital for achieving justice but also essential for restoring public confidence in the institutions designed to serve and protect citizens.

The joint statement was endorsed by the embassies and high commissions of Australia, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States.