President William Ruto is under increasing pressure from the United States to hold police officers accountable for the deadly crackdown on anti-finance bill protests that erupted in mid-June.
The protests, largely driven by disillusioned youth, resulted in the deaths of at least 61 people, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), with over 60 others reported missing.
The brutal response from law enforcement has sparked outrage both in Kenya and internationally, leading the US government to demand swift justice for the victims.
US Senator Chris Murphy, a prominent member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, delivered a strong message to President Ruto during a recent trip to Kenya. Murphy stressed the need for accountability, reflecting concerns previously raised by Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, during her July visit.
"The violent and poorly executed crackdowns like those we witnessed during the protests often lead to more instability rather than stability," Murphy told Semafor Africa. He added that while the US-Kenya relationship remains strong, it could not reach its full potential without a genuine commitment from Ruto’s administration to hold those responsible for the abuses accountable.
Murphy’s remarks highlight the strain on the previously warm relations between Nairobi and Washington, especially in light of President Ruto’s state visit to the US in May. During that visit, President Joe Biden extended a rare honor to Ruto, marking the first state visit by an African head of state to the US in six decades. Among the key outcomes was Biden’s pledge to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, a status shared by only 16 other nations globally.
However, the violent suppression of protests and the subsequent inaction against the police officers involved have strained this diplomatic warmth. Washington's strategic interest in Kenya, especially amid the growing influence of China, Russia, and Gulf states in Africa, means that the US is closely monitoring how the Ruto administration handles these internal matters.
The protests were sparked by widespread public discontent with the government’s finance bill, which many Kenyans viewed as worsening the already dire economic situation. The police response was swift and brutal, leading to numerous deaths, injuries, and disappearances.
Despite ongoing investigations by Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), no officers have been prosecuted or dismissed in connection with the protests, a fact that has not escaped the attention of the US.
Kenyan MPs have also expressed frustration over the lack of progress in holding the police accountable. Last week, they demanded that IPOA provide and publish comprehensive details of its investigations into the deaths recorded during the protests by the end of August.
Gathoni Wamuchomba, a member of parliament, voiced the sentiments of many when she confronted IPOA officials: "You haven’t been able to arrest or convict those responsible for the abductions, deaths, and violations of human rights. What has IPOA done?"
The US push for accountability comes at a critical time for Kenya, as the country navigates internal challenges while maintaining its role as a key ally in regional and global matters. Nairobi’s cooperation with Washington extends beyond bilateral relations, encompassing efforts in combating terrorism in Africa, stabilizing Haiti, and supporting Ukraine.
Despite the strong strategic partnership, the US has yet to indicate whether the lack of justice for those affected by the protests will impact the implementation of the funding and support pledged during Ruto’s state visit. For many Kenyans, however, the immediate concern remains whether justice will be served for the victims of the crackdown and whether the promises of accountability will translate into meaningful action.