The streets of Kenya are once again filled with anti-government protesters demanding the resignation of President William Ruto, despite recent concessions made by the leader. The tension escalated as one man was shot dead during a clash between demonstrators and security forces on the outskirts of the capital, according to a BBC reporter on the scene.
In central Nairobi, shops shuttered their doors as police deployed tear gas to disperse hundreds of protesters. What started as a protest against an unpopular tax bill has now evolved into a broader outcry against bad governance, corruption, and police accountability for the deaths of numerous demonstrators in recent rallies.
President Ruto, in a bid to quell the unrest, called for a “dialogue” last week as he dismissed his entire cabinet and saw the head of the police force resign. However, the protest movement, largely organized online by young Kenyans, remains steadfast in their demand for Ruto to step down.
The demonstrations have spread across the country, with chaotic scenes reported in Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nyeri. The intensity of the protests was highlighted by a Kenyan television reporter from K24 who was injured by a bullet while covering the unrest in Nakuru.
The situation remains volatile, with protests erupting in nearly half of Kenya’s 47 counties. The death toll continues to rise, with the state-funded rights body reporting at least 50 fatalities and 413 injuries since the protests began.
As tensions escalate, the acting police chief warned of “organised criminal groups” attempting to disrupt the protests and urged demonstrators to remain peaceful and cooperate with law enforcement for their safety and collective security.
President Ruto has accused the Ford Foundation of funding the protests, a claim denied by the US-based organization. The situation remains fluid as Kenyans continue to demand change and accountability from their government.
