On Wednesday, Kenya experienced nationwide protests against police brutality and poor governance, resulting in 16 fatalities, according to the state-funded human rights commission. Thousands of frustrated young people took to the streets in 23 out of 47 counties, with demonstrators calling for President William Ruto’s resignation. The protests escalated in intensity, leading to significant property damage, including the destruction of at least two police stations and widespread looting in Nairobi.
The unrest was fueled by public outrage over the recent death of a blogger in police custody and a civilian shooting related to protests stemming from that incident. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen stated that police actions during the protests were justified, defending their conduct as necessary to prevent a coup. He vowed to pursue legal action against looters captured on CCTV.
Among the mourners was Fatma Opango, who identified her 17-year-old nephew among the deceased, raising concerns over the police’s use of force. Businesses in downtown Nairobi reported extensive losses due to looters stealing goods and setting shops ablaze, with one phone seller estimating losses of approximately $6,000.
The protests were partly organized on social media to mark the one-year anniversary of previous anti-tax demonstrations that led to at least 60 deaths. To secure key government buildings, additional security measures were implemented, including barricading the parliament and president’s office with razor wire, further limiting protesters’ access. As the country faces ongoing socio-political unrest, the situation remains tense, reflecting deep-seated frustrations among the populace.
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