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NAIROBI, Kenya | Xinhua | One person was killed, and several others were shot and injured in Kenya as anti-government protesters returned to the streets Tuesday after a one-week hiatus.
The young protesters, who were demanding justice for those killed in previous protests and urging President William Ruto to implement reforms to reduce the cost of living, barricaded roads, lit bonfires, and engaged police in running battles across the country.
In the capital city of Nairobi, at least three people were shot and wounded during the protests that saw hundreds of young people, or Gen-Z, flocking to the streets.
Business operations across cities and towns were disrupted as traders stayed away from their stores and guarded them with different weapons out of concern for looting.
Public transport was paralyzed throughout the day, leaving many unable to return home after coming into the central business district for their daily activities.
“I came to the streets today for two reasons. First is to stand in solidarity with those who were killed during past protests. And second, to push the government to institute various reasons to stop burdening taxpayers with higher taxes,” said John Kimani, a protester in Nairobi.
The day-long protests were observed in various parts of the country, with some of the protesters breaking into shops and engaging in looting.
In Kitengela, some 33 km on the outskirts of Nairobi, tens of protesters paralyzed business in the town and barricaded the main road that connects Kenya and Tanzania. Police used tear gas canisters to disperse them, but the protests continued throughout the day. At least one protester was killed during the melee, and two supermarkets in the town were looted, according to police reports.
In Kakamega in western Kenya, protesters broke into a fuel station and looted the premises as the protests escalated into violence.
Other towns that recorded protests included Nakuru where a journalist was shot and injured by anti-riot police.
In past weeks, President Ruto has sought to satisfy the demands of the demonstrators by dismissing almost the whole Cabinet, dropping the Finance Bill 2024 and implementing austerity policies.
The Finance Bill 2024, which triggered the protests, had sought to raise an additional 2.7 billion U.S. dollars through new taxes.
The president has also called for a multi-sectoral dialogue with various leaders, including from the youth whom he addressed for the first time via X space.
“I have turned a new page, pray for me as I plan to get new employees who will help me actualize the promises we gave, because we want to transform the country. We want to have a country that is steady, firm, and prosperous, and carries the aspirations of the people,” Ruto said on July 14 in reference to his dismissal of the Cabinet.
This, however, has not pacified restless youthful demonstrators, who have called for more action from the president, with some calling for his resignation.
The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Roseline Odede said Tuesday in a statement issued in Nairobi that at least 50 people had been killed during the anti-government protests that started on June 18, and the number of those injured stands at 413.
“The number of those arbitrarily arrested is at 682. We condemn the abductions and arrests and demand an immediate and unconditional release of all the illegally detained persons in relation to the protests,” she added.
The National Police Service had allowed Tuesday’s protests to go ahead, but warned those engaging to be peaceful.
Kenya’s Ministry of Interior and National Administration said in a statement that the protests had been infiltrated by violent gangs leading to acts of lawlessness.
“What began as an expression of divergent opinion over the financial vision of the country has sadly escalated to a situation where we are sadly counting the number of those killed, injured, and loss of livelihoods for many families,” the ministry said.
The ministry said it has recommended to the president to initiate the process of establishing the Coroner General’s Office, which will be mandated to investigate deaths, including those resulting from police action, and also ensure accountability and transparency in cases of suspicious deaths. ■
