GOVT Refutes Accusations of Orchestrating Parliament Arson
Wilson Sossion
Government Denies Allegations of Hiring Goons to Burn Parliament
Former Nominated Member of Parliament Wilson Sossion has stepped forward to defend the government amidst accusations that it orchestrated the infiltration of peaceful protesters and the subsequent burning of Parliament during the recent anti-Finance Bill 2024 demonstrations.
Government’s Innocence Asserted
Sossion vehemently denies that the government could have any motive to destroy Parliament, asserting that such actions would be contrary to the state’s interests. He suggests that external entities with vested interests manipulated the protests, orchestrating the violence witnessed.
External Interests at Play
Speaking to Citizen TV, Sossion emphasized that there exists compelling evidence indicating that entities other than the government sponsored the disruptive groups responsible for the parliament arson. He categorically rejects the notion that the government would sponsor such criminal acts.
Police Restraint Amidst Chaos
Defending the police’s actions during the protests, Sossion praised their restraint despite the challenging circumstances. He argued that the police refrained from using lethal force against charging demonstrators, even amid tragic fatalities outside Parliament.
Police Defense and Crowd Overpowering
“The police exercised remarkable restraint. When faced with a massive crowd breaching barriers and storming Parliament, expecting them to use force against citizens was unreasonable,” Sossion emphasized. He asserted that blaming the police for the breach would be unjustified.
Debate Over Alleged Goon Hiring
The hiring of goons has sparked heated debates throughout the protests. Peaceful demonstrators have distanced themselves from the destruction and looting, attributing these acts to hired individuals.
Politicians Accused of Hiring Goons
Accusations have targeted politicians, with some youth claiming they were hired to participate in the protests and demanding payment for their services. The involvement of politicians in the unrest continues to be a contentious issue.
Memorial Honoring Fallen Protesters
In a poignant moment at Uhuru Park, protesters gathered for the Shujaaz Memorial concert, donning black attire and waving Kenyan flags. They erected makeshift crosses bearing the names of those who lost their lives during the anti-government demonstrations, adorned with the national flag.
Discrepancies in Casualty Figures
While the government reports 25 fatalities and 400 injuries, human rights groups, including the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC), argue that the actual numbers are significantly higher. KHRC claims at least 43 deaths and over 600 injuries during the protests, highlighting discrepancies in casualty figures.
