WORLD NEWS: KENYA POLICE CHIEF RESIGNS AFTER PROTESTS

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Following harsh criticism, Kenya’s police chief resigned on Friday, the presidency announced, becoming the latest figurehead to step down amid anti-government rallies that claimed dozens of lives.

The action was taken the day after President William Ruto fired practically his whole cabinet in an attempt to quell the public’s outrage over his administration following mainly peaceful protests over planned tax increases that turned violent and fatal.

Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome has held the position since November 2022, and the presidency announced in a statement that Ruto has “accepted the resignation” of Koome.

The most significant issue of Ruto’s almost two-year administration, Koome’s removal, was demanded by some of the young Kenyans of Generation Z who organized the rallies. The police were also accused of using excessive force during the demonstrations.

Ruto has made a number of concessions to the protestors, including rescinding the finance package that included the wildly unpopular tax increases.

With the exception of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi, he fired the attorney general and every cabinet minister on Thursday.

Although the cabinet announcement was well received by some, several young Kenyans who were disappointed that Ruto had not fulfilled his pledges to improve their lot in life and create jobs in 2022 did not feel satisfied.

“We will be back on the streets until Ruto goes. He has wasted two years in office travelling and telling lies,” said Hyrence Mwangi, 25.

Initially peaceful, the protests sharply escalated when police fired at crowds who stormed parliament on June 25, ransacking the partly ablaze complex.

While large-scale street protests have subsided, anger against the government has not, particularly towards the police, with rights groups saying that 39 people were killed in the demonstrations.

“When we first went to the streets, Ruto dismissed us as a bunch of hired goons and criminals, only to come later and start saying he will make changes,” said 27-year-old Jackson Rotich.

“We can’t trust him.”

IT specialist Cyrus Otieno, 27, was among those who had called for Koome to go, saying he “must be prosecuted for police brutality”.

Law student Melisa Agufana, 24, welcomed the cabinet dismissal, saying she wanted to “thank the president for listening”.

She added that ministers had “wasted two years doing nothing apart from being driven around with our national flag.”