17/07/2024
One Killed as Kenyan Anti-Government Protests Intensify Again
Police in Kenya clashed with protesters on Tuesday, leading to the death of at least one person. The renewed demonstrations across the country come a month after initial protests against planned tax hikes that prompted President William Ruto to scrap the legislation and dismiss most of his cabinet.
However, activists are now demanding Ruto's resignation and systemic changes to address corruption and poor governance. In the capital Nairobi, police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds, with one protester saying "it was like the police were out to get us".
A journalist was also shot and injured by a police officer during the protests in Nakuru, according to the Kenya Union of Journalists, which condemned the "targeted attack" and called for an investigation.
Protesters accused Ruto of failing to adequately address their grievances, with one demonstrator asking "Where is accountability? Where is governance?" The Interior Ministry stated that police will use "reasonable force" when "protests escalate to criminalities".
The youth-led demonstrations that began a month ago have continued despite Ruto's concessions, with activists vowing a "total shutdown" until the president resigns.
Tensions boiled over in Kenya on Tuesday as anti-government protests, which have been simmering for over a month, turned deadly. Police clashed violently with demonstrators in the capital city of…
