President William Ruto is facing mounting pressure from the United States to hold police officers accountable for their actions during the deadly crackdown on anti-finance bill protests that erupted in mid-June.

The protests, led largely by disillusioned youth, saw at least 61 lives lost, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), while over 60 others went missing.

The brutality of the response has sparked outrage both within Kenya and internationally, with the US government now urging swift justice.

US Senator Chris Murphy, a prominent member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has taken a firm stance on the issue. Following his recent trip to Kenya, Murphy conveyed the US government’s demand for accountability directly to President Ruto.

Murphy’s visit comes on the heels of similar concerns raised by Uzra Zeya, the Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, during a visit in July.

"The violent and poorly executed crackdowns like those we witnessed during the protests often lead to more instability rather than stability," Murphy told Semafor Africa.

He emphasised that the US-Kenya relationship, while strong, could not reach its full potential unless there was a genuine commitment from Ruto’s administration to hold those responsible for the abuses accountable.

“I think it’s really important for US leaders to convey those concerns and make it clear that our relationship can’t be at its strongest level unless there is a real commitment from the Kenyan government to hold anyone that engages in abuse, particularly in the context of these protests, accountable,” he added.

The crackdown has cast a shadow over the previously warm relations between Nairobi and Washington, which were notably highlighted by Ruto’s state visit to the US in May. During the visit, President Joe Biden extended a rare honour to Ruto, marking the first state visit by an African head of state to the US in six decades.

Among the key outcomes of the visit was Biden’s pledge to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, a status shared by only 16 other nations globally.

However, the violent suppression of protests and the subsequent lack of action against the police officers involved have strained this newfound diplomatic warmth.

Washington's strategic interest in Kenya, especially given the increasing influence of China, Russia, and Gulf states in Africa, means that the US is keenly watching how the Ruto administration handles these internal matters.

The protests in question were sparked by widespread public discontent with the government’s finance bill, which many Kenyans viewed as exacerbating the already dire economic situation. The police response was swift and brutal, leading to numerous deaths, injuries, and disappearances. 

Despite ongoing investigations by Kenya’s Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA), no officers have been prosecuted or dismissed in connection with the protests, a fact that has not gone unnoticed by the US.

MPs have also expressed frustration over the lack of progress in holding the police accountable. Last week, they demanded that IPOA provide and publish comprehensive details of its investigations into the deaths recorded during the protests by the end of August.

Gathoni Wamuchomba, a member of parliament, voiced the sentiments of many when she confronted IPOA officials: "You haven’t been able to arrest or convict those responsible for the abductions, deaths, and violations of human rights. What has IPOA done?"

The push from the US comes at a critical time for Kenya, as the country grapples with its internal challenges while maintaining its role as a key ally in regional and global matters.

Nairobi’s cooperation with Washington extends beyond bilateral relations, encompassing efforts in combating terrorism in Africa, stabilising Haiti, and supporting Ukraine.

Despite the strong strategic partnership, the US has yet to indicate whether the lack of justice for those affected by the protests will impact the implementation of the funding and support pledged during Ruto’s state visit.

For many Kenyans, however, the immediate concern remains whether justice will be served for the victims of the crackdown and whether the promises of accountability will translate into meaningful action.