In a recent statement via his official X account, well-known Political Economist and former presidential aspirant Professor Pat Utomi has reacted to the killings during the anti-tax hike protests on Tuesday.
The rallies, which began peacefully last week, turned violent when police opened fire on demonstrators.
The mainly youth-led rallies started peacefully last week, with thousands of demonstrators marched in the capital, Nairobi, and across the country against the tax increases.
The protests initially saw large, orderly crowds expressing their disappointment. However, tensions expanded sharply on Tuesday afternoon. Police officers fired live rounds at crowds that later ransacked the parliament complex.
“Ruto Ruto. I was rooting for you yesterday. Please please do not let hubris eat your lunch. Africa needs good news. If a whole generation disagrees with how you want to construct their future, talk with them. Shooting citizens is not a show of power it is a show of weakness. There is time to make amends. We need you to raise the banner of good governance. Africa is bleeding rivers. We need no oceans of blood that assume egos of tyrants,” Pat Utomi wrote.
Utomi’s statement highlights the urgency of dialogue and peaceful resolution. He urged leaders to listen to the voices of the younger generation.
He stressed that shooting citizens is a sign of weakness, not strength. Utomi called on the authorities to make amends and prioritize good governance and stated that Africa needs leaders who can provide positive news and avoid further bloodshed…..Sēe Morē