Protester Killed as Demonstrators Demand Kenyan President’s Resignation
Anti-government protests in Kenya escalated today as demonstrators intensified calls for President William Ruto’s resignation, despite recent government concessions.
Tragically, one protester was fatally shot during clashes with security forces on the outskirts of Nairobi, according to eyewitnesses on the ground.
In response to the unrest, police in central Nairobi deployed tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters, leading to the closure of shops in the area.
The protests initially erupted over a controversial tax bill, which has since been withdrawn, but have since broadened to encompass broader grievances against government corruption and police accountability.
President Ruto, who recently dismissed his entire cabinet and saw the resignation of the police chief, had called for dialogue to address the protests. However, many demonstrators, primarily coordinated online by Kenya’s youth, remain steadfast in their demand for Ruto’s resignation.
In Kitengela, southern Nairobi, chaotic scenes unfolded as protesters carried the deceased demonstrator’s body to a nearby police station, chanting “Ruto must go” and engaging in clashes with law enforcement.
Similar unrest was reported in cities across Kenya, including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nyeri.
The situation remains tense, with reports of injuries including a journalist from K24 who was shot in the thigh while covering protests in Nakuru. Kenya’s Daily Nation reports demonstrations in nearly half of the country’s counties, underscoring the widespread discontent.
Efforts to quell the protests have been complicated by allegations of external influence, with Kenya’s acting police chief warning of organized attempts to destabilize the demonstrations.
Meanwhile, President Ruto has accused international organizations like the Ford Foundation of funding the protests, a claim denied by the US-based foundation.
The death toll from the ongoing protests has been significant, with at least 50 reported fatalities and over 400 injuries documented by Kenya’s state-funded human rights body. As tensions persist, authorities urge demonstrators to remain peaceful and cooperate with police for the safety of all citizens.
Source: BBC News Africa
