Fr. Julius Muthamba of Holy Family Kabati Parish has called for greater tolerance when addressing ongoing protests by youth across Kenya.
Speaking at the funeral mass of Patricia Mule in Kikeeti Village, Kitui West, the clergyman attributed the unrest to a sense of hopelessness among the youth and urged authorities to foster encouragement and support to help young Kenyans achieve their goals.
The recent wave of protests was sparked by the death of Albert Ojwang during the June 17 demonstrations, which saw police use excessive force against demonstrators.
The Catholic Church has publicly criticized police brutality, condemning the violence and calling for restraint. A harrowing video circulated online showed a police officer fatally shooting a mask vendor in Nairobi CBD, further inflaming public anger and accusations of police misconduct.
Despite initial plans for a peaceful memorial march in Nairobi to honor the deceased, the protests quickly escalated into violent riots. Property worth billions was destroyed, with several police officers sustaining serious injuries, some career-ending. The chaos resulted in multiple fatalities, including several civilians shot dead amid the clashes.
The government faces mounting pressure to address police conduct and the underlying issues driving youth discontent.
