Kenyans stage anti-government protests one year after storming parliament
Protestors participate in a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests that drew widespread condemnation over the use of force by security agencies, in Nairobi, Kenya June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi
People run during a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the deadly 2024 anti-government protests that drew widespread condemnation over the use of force by security agencies, in Nairobi, Kenya June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi
Soldiers ride a vehicle during a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests that left more than 60 people dead and drew widespread condemnation over the use of force by security agencies, in Nairobi, Kenya June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
Smoke rises as protestors participate in a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests that drew widespread condemnation over the use of force by security agencies, in Nairobi, Kenya June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya
A protestor in a protective mask participates in a demonstration to mark the first anniversary of the 2024 anti-government protests that left more than 60 people dead and drew widespread condemnation over the use of force by security agencies, in Nairobi, Kenya June 25, 2025. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi
NAIROBI - Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of anti-government protests that killed at least 60 people and culminated in the storming of the national parliament.
Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Nairobi and blocked incoming traffic towards the central business district, the epicentre of the protests, according to local television stations and a Reuters witness.
Marches in the port city of Mombasa and the city of Nakuru proceeded peacefully.
Although last year's protests against proposed tax increases eventually faded after President William Ruto withdrew the planned hikes, public anger over the use of force by security agencies has not abated, with fresh demonstrations erupting this month over the death of a blogger in police custody.
Six people, including three police officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday over the killing of 31-year-old blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang. All have pleaded not guilty.
The death of Ojwang has become a lightning rod for Kenyans still mourning the deaths of protesters killed at last year's demonstrations, blamed on security forces, along with rights groups claims of dozens of unexplained abductions.
Members of the public and opposition leaders placed wreaths near razor wire barriers outside parliament on Wednesday.
"A year later, nothing has happened," Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the opposition Wiper Party, told reporters, criticising the government over its perceived failure to address protesters' concerns.
The interior ministry in a post on X on Tuesday warned demonstrators not to "provoke police" or "attempt to breach protected areas."
'REFRAIN FROM VIOLENCE'
The unprecedented scenes on June 25, 2024, showing police firing at protesters as they broke through barriers to enter parliament, created the biggest crisis of Ruto's presidency and sparked alarm among Kenya's international allies.
"No amount of compensation will fill that vacuum. No amount of money will replace Rex," Gillian Munyau, mother of Rex Kanyike Masai, one of the first demonstrators killed last year, said in an interview on NTV Kenya television.
On Tuesday, the embassies of the United States, Britain, Canada and other Western nations released a joint statement on X urging all to "facilitate peaceful demonstrations and to refrain from violence."
"The use of plain-clothed officers in unmarked vehicles erodes public trust," the statement said.
Rights campaigners condemned the presence of unidentified police officers at protests last year.
The embassies said they were troubled by the use of hired "goons" to disrupt peaceful demonstrations, after Reuters reporters saw groups of men beating protesters with sticks and whips last week.
Kenya's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday that any policing violations would be addressed through government institutions including parliament and the judiciary.
The counter-protesters have defended their actions, telling Reuters that they are not goons but rather patriots protecting property from looters.
Two police officers were arrested last week over the shooting of an unarmed civilian during a protest in Nairobi over the death of Ojwang, the blogger. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
37 minutes ago
- Straits Times
China urges Philippine military to refrain from ‘malicious accusations' over drugs trade
'China has the toughest resolve and policy against drugs and we have one of the best counternarcotics track records in the world,' the Chinese embassy said. PHOTO: REUTERS China urges Philippine military to refrain from 'malicious accusations' over drugs trade HONG KONG – The Chinese embassy in the Philippines on June 26 urged 'certain individuals within the Philippine military' to refrain from 'malicious accusations' after a Philippine military spokesman linked China to a recent influx of drugs. 'It is not far-fetched that this be another effort of the Chinese Communist Party to destroy the future generation of Filipinos by flooding our country with illicit drugs,' Navy spokesman Rear-Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad told reporters on June 24. 'China has the toughest resolve and policy against drugs and we have one of the best counternarcotics track records in the world,' the Chinese embassy said. 'We firmly oppose the baseless and malicious accusations made by certain individuals with intention to smear China,' it added. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
43 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Thai and Cambodian leaders visit disputed border as tensions simmer
FILE PHOTO: Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra looks during a press conference in Bangkok, Thailand, June 23, 2025. Government House of Thailand Handout via REUTERS/File Photo ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand - The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are visiting different parts of their disputed land border on Thursday as tensions between the two neighbours simmer over a territorial dispute and the Thai government teeters on the brink of collapse. The deterioration of relations was sparked by brief armed clashes in a border area late last month that left one Cambodian soldier dead. What followed were a series of tit-for-tat measures by both countries including troops mobilisations, Cambodia's suspension of all fuel and gas imports from its neighbour, and the partial closure of checkpoints by Thailand along the 817 km (508 miles) land border. The conflict has added fuel to a crisis facing Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is battling to revive a faltering economy and scrambling to keep a fragile coalition together in the face of protests as well as a parliamentary no confidence vote. As she arrived on Thursday morning at the Thai bordertown of Aranyaprathet in Sa Kaeo province, opposite Cambodia's Poipet, Paetongtarn was greeted by a crowd of supporters, with several of them holding a large sign saying "Love You Prime Minister Paetongtarn". The Prime Minister said the purpose of her visit was to survey the ongoing crackdown on transnational crime and gauge the impact of border restrictions, which saw Thailand halting all vehicles, tourists and traders from all land border crossings into Cambodia. "We want to see the impact from this policy and what the government can do to help, this is our main goal for the visit today," Paetongtarn said in a meeting with officials. The Thai Prime Minister earlier this week linked the proliferation of illegal online scam centres to Cambodia, but Cambodian authorities have denied involvement. At another part of the border, former Cambodian premier Hun Sen on Thursday morning visited troops and officials in Oddar Meanchey province, opposite the Thai province of Surin. Local media footage showed Hun Sen, in military fatigues, arriving by helicopter and meeting with officials in the area. The two leaders has until recently enjoyed warm personal ties, helped by the close relationship between Hun Sen and Paetongtarn's influential father, Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra. But in a leaked phone conversation with Hun Sen, Paetongtarn was heard denigrating a Thai military commander - a red line in a country in which the military holds significant clout - piling political pressure on the Thai government. The prime minister has since apologised over the leaked call but the incident was used as a justification by the Bhumjaithai party to leave the government coalition last week. Bhumjaithai said earlier this week that it will seek a parliamentary no confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn and her cabinet over the leaked call. Paetongtarn is also facing judicial scrutiny after a group of senators gave the Constitutional Court and a national anti-graft body a wide remit to investigate her conduct. Decisions from either bodies could lead to her removal. Anti-government groups are also planning a street protest starting Saturday, demanding her resignation. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Former S.Korean president Yoon to be questioned on Saturday, requests privacy protection
Former South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol is on trial for insurrection and abuse of power over alleged illegal activities following his declaration of martial law on Dec 3, 2024. PHOTO: POOL VIA REUTERS Former president Yoon to be questioned on Saturday, requests privacy protection SEOUL - South Korea's disgraced former president Yoon Suk Yeol said on June 26 that he will appear before the special counsel investigating his alleged role in an insurrection, on the condition that the proceedings be held out of public view. Yoon will appear in court at 10am (9am, Singapore time) on June 28 , one hour later than the originally requested 9am. His lawyers stated that he is willing to cooperate with the ongoing investigation but has raised concerns about what he calls 'unjust' procedures. They argued that the special counsel must reach an agreement with the accused regarding the time and location of the questioning and emphasised that Yoon's privacy and dignity should be respected. They further claimed that the public summoning of Yoon was an attempt to humiliate him and was 'intended to make it difficult for Yoon to appear for questioning by deliberately seeking his arrest'. The independent counsel, led by Mr Cho Eun-suk, requested a travel ban on Yoon from the Ministry of Justice on June 25 . It also sought an arrest warrant from the court, which was denied later that day. Yoon is on trial for insurrection and abuse of power over alleged illegal activities following his declaration of martial law on Dec 3, 2024. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
