Nairobi, July 16, 1014 – Dozens of demonstrators stormed the streets in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday as part of scattered rallies across the country calling for President William Ruto to step down.
Activists led by young Gen-Z Kenyans launched peaceful rallies a month ago against deeply unpopular tax hikes, but they descended into deadly violence, prompting Ruto to drop the planned increases.
Although street protests have eased since dozens of people were killed and parliament stormed in late June, demonstrators are still demanding the president’s resignation, with Tuesday’s rallies using the “RutoMustGo” hashtag.
Heavily armed police were deployed in Nairobi’s central business district (CBD), the epicentre of previous protests, while young people armed with clubs stood guard outside their businesses, an AFP journalist said.
Officers fired tear gas and water cannon on small crowds gathering in the CBD, with demonstrators criticising the “excessive force” deployed by the police.
“Police have used excessive force in dealing with the peaceful demonstrators,” Kinuthia Ndung’u told AFP.
“We have a lot of young people who are now nursing injuries”, the 27-year-old protester said.
“We are peaceful, we did not have any (weapons), but they are shooting at us, they are giving us tear gas,” said another protester, Francis Mumo.
“Can’t we come to the streets and march? Because it is our right to demonstrate.
“They are supposed to protect us”, the 32-year-old added. Local media reported seeing a body on the ground as scuffles broke out between police and protesters in Nairobi’s Kitengela neighbourhood.
Demonstrations also took place in the opposition stronghold of Kisumu where shops hurriedly closed before midday as protesters marched, and in the president’s Rift Valley bastion of Eldoret.
In the coastal city of Mombasa, dozens of protesters waved green branches and flags, clashing briefly with officers before marching into the city centre.
“We are protesting peacefully”, they shouted, holding banners reading: “Justice for Gen-Zs” and “stop killing protesters”. (AFP)
