Uhuru Kenyatta: Leaders Must Listen to the People

Former President of Kenya Uhuru Kenyatta has waded into the ongoing protest witnessed in Kenya, cautioning the leaders to listen to the people as part of their duty and mandate as enshrined in the Constitution.

In a statement that was issued to all the media houses, Uhuru reiterated the need for elected leaders to serve the interests of the people, and therefore they must listen to them and solve those aggravating issues to avoid the loss of lives. Uhuru further cautioned the youth to exercise restraint, as violence on either side is not the solution.

“At this trying time in our country, I want to remind the leaders that they were elected by the people. Listening to people is not a choice but a mandate enshrined in the principles of our constitution and in the very basis of philosophy and democracy,” said Uhuru.

Several youths stormed parliament after MPs voted for the passage of the controversial finance bill that will see Kenyan citizens pay more taxes to enable the country to service its debt, a bill that they had rejected, terming it punitive. During the protest, several people died while others sustained injuries as President William Ruto issued a stern warning to the perpetrators, abettors, and financiers of the demonstrations.