Ambassador Kyle McCarter Denies He Refused to Meet Protestors Outside US Embassy in Nairobi

US Ambassador to Kenya Kyle McCarter has refuted claims that he snubbed protestors who marched to the US Embassy in Nairobi.

The group of demonstrators camped outside the embassy in Gigiri on Tuesday morning to demand justice for George Floyd, an unarmed African-American man who was killed by a white police officer in Minneapolis, Minnesota last week.

46-year-old Floyd died after the police officer named Derek Chauvin kneeled on his neck in an incident that was captured on camera. His death has sparked a wave of violent protests across US cities.

McCarter through Twitter on Wednesday termed as false reports that he declined to meet and address the group outside the embassy.

“Totally false. The protesters, (thankful that they were peaceful), were asked to leave by police before I could meet them & make my statement to them outside the gate, even though it was a security risk I was willing to take. So I posted the video. No contact info on letter btw,” McCarter wrote while responding to a tweet by CTGN Africa.

On Tuesday, Ambassador McCarter released a video addressing the protestors after they left the embassy.

He said: “I hear you. Whether virtually online or even standing peacefully outside our Embassy, I hear you. The actions of police officers in the killing of George Floyd are abhorrent. It must result in justice and accountability for those responsible.”

“While no action can bring back George Floyd to his family, the officers involved have been arrested and both the Minnesota State and the national justice system are in the midst of full investigations.” 

An autopsy commissioned by Floyd’s family and lawyer revealed that he died of Asphyxia, a condition arising when the body is deprived of oxygen, causing unconsciousness or death.

But Minnesota medical examiner’s report released on June 1st said Floyd died as a result of “cardiopulmonary arrest complicating law enforcement subdual, restraint, and neck compression.” 

Derek was arrested on Friday and charged with third-degree murder.