Kenyan government says country is safe despite protests

As scenes of violence continue to be witnessed in different parts of Kenya following last Tuesday’s disputed elections, security officials in the country say the country is safe and secure and that life has largely returned to normal.

Reports indicate that following the announcement of the reelection of President Uhuru Kenyatta, spontaneous demonstrations broke out in major opposition strongholds of the country.

Kenya’s acting Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i however blamed the clashes to “criminal elements” rather than to the legitimate political protest.

“Security forces have reported that they have responded appropriately and they have restored normalcy in most of these parts,” said the minister. But individuals or gangs that are looting shops, that want to endanger lives, that are breaking into people’s businesses – those are not demonstrators, they are criminals. And we expect police to deal with criminals how criminals should be dealt with,” said the minister.

He also denied claims that security officers have been killing protesters.

The NASA opposition coalition said on Saturday that police are using a shoot-to-kill-policy against its supporters that has claimed the lives of more than 100 people.