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Anti-government protests rock Kenya: ‘We are fighting for our rights'

Anti-government protests rock Kenya: ‘We are fighting for our rights'

Washington Post7 hours ago

NAIROBI — Protests over corruption and police brutality rocked the Kenyan capital on Wednesday, a year to the day after police opened fire on young, unarmed demonstrators outside the nation's burning Parliament building.
Thousands of protesters barricaded roads, tore down concrete barriers topped with razor wire and hurled back tear gas canisters fired by police. Traffic stalled on major highways as Nairobi's central business district filled with smoke.

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What to Know About the Antigovernment Protests in Kenya
What to Know About the Antigovernment Protests in Kenya

New York Times

time13 minutes ago

  • New York Times

What to Know About the Antigovernment Protests in Kenya

Thousands of people took part in protests against police brutality and government corruption in cities across Kenya on Wednesday. The protests, expressing disenchantment with President William Ruto, were marked by clashes with security forces that left at least eight dead and hundreds injured. The demonstrations were held to mark the first anniversary of mass anti-tax protests during which 60 died and dozens were abducted by Kenyan police. While it is not clear whether the current protests will be as big as last year's, some experts say the pressure on the Kenyan government has led to some changes. Here is what to know about the protests in Kenya. Where are the protests taking place? Demonstrations broke out in various Kenyan cities, but the largest groups were in the capital, Nairobi. Businesses and banks in the city center were closed as the police fired tear gas at protesters waving Kenyan flags. Security forces barricaded the president's office and Parliament with razor wire and closed off major routes to the buildings. Last year, protesters briefly set the entrance of the legislature on fire. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Gauteng premier releases forensic reports into corruption, other offences
Gauteng premier releases forensic reports into corruption, other offences

News24

timean hour ago

  • News24

Gauteng premier releases forensic reports into corruption, other offences

Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi revealed the province lost more than R3 million due to financial misconduct across four departments but was able to recover 60% of this amount. Forty-seven forensic reports, part of a larger set of 177 investigations, probed fraud, corruption, and maladministration in high-profile cases like the Tembisa Hospital tenders. Three HODs were dismissed after they failed lifestyle audits, while 55 criminal cases were referred and 88 individuals faced disciplinary action. Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi announced the provincial government lost more than R3.4 million due to financial mismanagement, but 60% of this was later recovered. On Wednesday, Lesufi made public 47 finalised forensic investigative reports dating back to 2016, before he was premier. These reports, part of a broader set of 177 investigations, examined cases of fraud, corruption, maladministration, and mismanagement in various government departments within the province. He said the release of the reports built on previous disclosures, including high-profile cases such as Anglo Ashanti, Tembisa Hospital, and driving licence testing centres. Lesufi added R3 448 215.07 was lost due to financial misconduct across the departments of cooperative governance and traditional affairs; roads and transport; human settlements and agriculture; and rural development. READ | 'Arsonist' charged for Tembisa Hospital fires amid R2.3bn corruption probe He said there were 10 cases from these departments, all referred to law enforcement agencies for criminal investigation, while the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) recovered some of the funds. 'A total of R3 448 215.07 was lost due to financial misconduct, with R2 039 689.78 recovered. This means that almost 60% of the value lost through fraud and corruption was recovered by GPG [Gauteng provincial government] departments in the last quarter. 'Overall, based on these 47 reports, approximately 88 people have faced consequence management, and 55 criminal cases have been registered with law enforcement by the departments.' Lesufi said he had dismissed three heads of department (HODs) who failed lifestyle audits. The audits, conducted by the SIU, involved accounting officers, including CEOs, the director-general, and HODs. READ | 'In response to these findings, the provincial government, in collaboration with the SIU, which conducted the audits, notified the affected employees and directed them to address and rectify the identified discrepancies promptly to avoid potential disciplinary measures,' he added. 'I can confirm over the weekend I received the final report from the SIU, and three out of the four HODs do not comply. Based on this, I have taken a decision to remove the affected HODs from their positions.' The 47 reports were broken down as follows: • Health: 16 • Social development: 7 • Community safety: 7 • Cooperative governance and traditional affairs: 4 • Sport, arts, culture and recreation: 3 • Roads and transport: 2 • Treasury: 2 • Human settlements: 2 • Education/e-Government: 1 • e-Government: 1 • Treasury/Education: 1 • Premier's office: 1 Lesufi urged the media and the public to 'engage with the reports responsibly'.

Kenya anniversary protests turn violent, 8 dead
Kenya anniversary protests turn violent, 8 dead

News24

time2 hours ago

  • News24

Kenya anniversary protests turn violent, 8 dead

Luis Tato/AFP At least eight were killed and 400 were injured as Kenya's anti-government protests turned violent on the anniversary of last year's deadly demonstrations. Protesters in Nairobi clashed with police, chanting against President Ruto and high taxes, while rights groups condemned police brutality. The government ordered a media blackout and restricted Telegram; Western embassies criticised the use of hired 'goons' to disrupt peaceful marches. Marches in Kenya to mark a year since massive anti-government demos turned violent on Wednesday, with eight killed and at least 400 injured as protesters held running battles with police, who flooded Nairobi's streets with tear gas and sealed off government buildings with barbed wire. Initially, peaceful commemorations descended into chaos as scattered groups ripped up flagstones to throw projectiles at security forces and chanted for the resignation of President William Ruto. The marches had been called for the anniversary of massive protests last year against tax rises that left at least 60 people dead and peaked when a huge crowd stormed Parliament on 25 June. 'We are marching against police brutality, against oppression by the government, against high taxation, everything that is going wrong in this country,' said Anthony, 25, who was also selling flags and did not want to give his full name. READ | Kenya deploys military, 5 killed as 'treasonous' tax protesters storm parliament A coalition of rights groups said eight people died as protests were held in 23 counties. 'At least 400 others were treated, with 83 of them referred to specialised treatment for serious injuries,' the coalition, which includes Amnesty International and the Kenyan Medical Association, said in a statement. A hospital source in Matuu, a town around 100 kilometres from Nairobi, earlier told AFP that two people had died from gunshot wounds there, with local media reporting that police had opened fire. The government ordered TV and radio stations to halt live coverage of the protests, which gained momentum beyond the capital, including in the port city Mombasa. NetBlocks, a global internet tracker, said social media platform Telegram had been restricted. 'We are here as the young generation. We want a complete overhaul of the system, the system is rotten, the system is rogue,' said protester Florence Achala in Nairobi. 'Goons' Anger has flared over police brutality, particularly after a teacher was killed in custody earlier this month. A group of peaceful protesters was attacked last week by a gang of motorbike-riding 'goons', as they are known in Kenya, armed with whips and clubs and working in tandem with the police. Western embassies in Kenya, including those of Britain, Germany and the United States, criticised in a joint statement 'the use of hired 'goons' to infiltrate or disrupt peaceful gatherings'. The 'goons' were not clearly present on Wednesday, but police used large amounts of tear gas and water cannons as they attempted to push back groups of protesters. Analyst and lawyer Javas Bigambo told AFP he was worried political groups would exploit the volatile mood to foster violence. He said: There is nothing good to celebrate about the events that happened last year. 'If we were serious about commemorating 25 June, it should be in solemnity, prayer and restraint.' Disillusioned There is deep resentment against Ruto, who came to power in 2022 promising rapid economic progress. Many are disillusioned by continued stagnation, corruption and high taxes, even after last year's protests forced Ruto to cancel the unpopular finance bill. His government has been at pains to avoid direct tax rises this year. But the frequent disappearances of government critics - rights groups have counted more than 80 since last year's protests, with dozens still missing - have led many to accuse Ruto of returning Kenya to the dark days of its dictatorship in the 1980s and 1990s. Ruto has previously promised an end to abductions but was unapologetic in a speech on Tuesday, vowing to 'stand by' the police.

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