This archive report was first published on 17 July 2021.
Uhuru Faces Pressure Over Joannah Stutchbury's Murder ¶
President Uhuru Kenyatta has been given four demands by 44 international NGOs following the murder of environmentalist Joannah Stutchbury.
On July 16, the NGOs issued a press statement asking Uhuru to direct the Directorate of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to investigate the matter and bring perpetrators to book.
The organisations also wanted the head of state to direct the Ministry of Environment and the Kenya Forestry Service to develop a plan to protect all forests from land grabbers.
They demanded that the government nurture, protect, and enhance the capacity of forest-dwelling and indigenous communities, including the Ogiek and Sengwer, to defend and protect their forests, lakes, and rivers.
The NGOs also gave a 14-day ultimatum to the DCI to thoroughly investigate Joannah's murder and make public their status report by July 30.
Environmentalist and activist Joannah Stutchbury was shot dead by unknown criminals outside her Kiambu house on July 15.
Conservationist Dr Paula Kahumbu alleged that the murder was related to the activist's fight for environmental conservancy.
President Uhuru Kenyatta mourned the late Kenyan environmentalist and ordered security agencies to track down and apprehend the assailants.
"My government will pursue and apprehend the criminals behind the killing of Joannah. We will not allow a few misguided individuals to continue shedding the blood of innocent people working hard to make Kenya a better place for all of us," he assured.
