TIGHT SECURITY AS KENYA BRACES FOR PROTESTS
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Agency Report
Police were out in force in the centre of Kenya’s capital on Tuesday after calls for more demonstrations against the embattled government of President William Ruto.
Young Kenyans from the Generation Z spearheaded the peaceful protests against the very unpopular tax increases that began a month ago.
However, last month, the protests became violent, killing several people and forcing Ruto to abandon the proposed increases. Since parliament was invaded and scores of people were slain in late June, street protests have subsided, but activists are still calling for the president’s resignation.
New demonstrations with the hashtag “RutoMustGo” have been scheduled for Tuesday.
There was a heavy police presence in Nairobi’s central business district — the epicentre of previous protest action — while youths armed with clubs stood guard outside their businesses, an AFP journalist said.
“This morning we received credible intelligence indicating that certain organised criminal groups have planned to infiltrate, disrupt and destabilise the peaceful nature of the demonstrations, which could potentially jeopardise the safety of demonstrators,” acting national police chief Douglas Kanja said in a statement.
At some of the earlier demonstrations, there were scenes of extensive looting and property damage, and protestors claimed that “goons” had taken over their peaceful action.
Rights organisations claim that since the demonstrations began on June 18, 39 people have died, and police are accused of using excessive force on the demonstrators.
Faced with the gravest crisis of his nearly two-year presidency, Ruto has tried to appease the protestors by announcing he would not be pursuing tax increases, firing nearly his whole cabinet, and promising to rein in extravagant government spending.
However, the demonstration movement has grown into a larger campaign against Ruto and his government, demanding justice for those who have allegedly been the victims of police brutality as well as action against corruption.
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