June 25 Protests: Diplomatic Tiff Simmers as Govt Warns Envoys against ‘Prescriptive’ Remarks
- The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a diplomatic note to 12 Western missions cautioning them over remarks made about the June 25 protests
- The government emphasised that while peaceful protests are a constitutional right, maintaining public order remains a state responsibility
- It also warned against 'overly prescriptive' diplomatic statements, urging respect for sovereignty in line with the Vienna Convention
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Nancy Odindo, a TUKO.co.ke journalist, has over four years of experience covering Kenyan politics, news, and features for digital and print media.
The Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs has issued a formal diplomatic note to 12 foreign missions in Nairobi, cautioning them over their recent remarks regarding the planned June 25 protests.
Source: Twitter
The countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, and several Nordic nations, had earlier posted on X (formerly Twitter) affirming the right to peaceful protest and urging restraint by Kenyan authorities.
In their statement, they cautioned against the use of unmarked vehicles, hired goons, and plainclothes officers.
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How did the government respond to diplomats?
In response, the ministry reiterated that while the rights to peaceful assembly and expression are enshrined in the Kenyan Constitution, the state must maintain law and order.
"Kenya’s democracy, however, does not operate in a vacuum," the ministry stated.
It assured that all law enforcement operations are conducted under the rule of law and subject to judicial and public oversight.
The government cautioned against 'overly prescriptive' expressions by diplomats, warning that such statements risk fueling political polarisation.
"Kenya remains a committed partner in the global democratic project but cautions against overly prescriptive statements that overlook the complex national and global contexts in which all states operate — especially the fragile challenges facing democracies today.
In moments like these, narratives presented as truth must be rigorously tested for objectivity and fairness, lest they deepen political polarisation and damage the social fabric," the statement read.
The ministry emphasised the importance of mutual respect, particularly in light of the complex challenges facing democracies worldwide.
The diplomatic communication concluded by reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to partnerships built on respect for sovereignty and international protocols, as outlined in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.
Source: Twitter
What did UDA MP tell diplomats?
This reaction comes after Belgut MP Nelson Koech accused the 12 foreign missions of interfering in Kenya’s internal affairs, saying their joint statement undermines the country’s sovereignty.
Koech, who chairs the National Assembly’s Security, Foreign Relations, and Intelligence Committee, warned the envoys’ remarks could damage long-standing diplomatic ties.
He further criticised the diplomats’ tone, calling it biased and partisan, and questioned their legitimacy to advise the Kenyan government.
What advice did Mutahi Ngunyi give Ruto?
Meanwhile, political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi sparked widespread outrage after urging President William Ruto to respond harshly to planned protests by showing no mercy to the defenceless protesters.
He added that while the threats may appear as political jokes, such remarks have historically led to the downfall of governments.
His comments, shared on social media, were seen as inciting violence and dismissive of demonstrators’ peaceful intentions.
Many Kenyans condemned the remarks, calling them reckless and inflammatory.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
