Death toll from Kenya's latest anti-govt protest surges to 31
It said another 107 people were injured and more than 500 were arrested amid widespread destruction of property, including supermarkets. The arrest figure largely tracked with the one issued by police. The death toll did not say whether any security forces were included.
For weeks, youth and other citizens have taken to the streets to protest against police brutality and poor governance and to demand President William Ruto's resignation over alleged corruption and the rising cost of living.
Mr. Ruto has not commented on Monday's protest or its toll.
The U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, on Tuesday urged that the grievances leading to the protests are addressed. Spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said he 'renews his call for calm and restraint, and full respect for the freedoms of expression, association and peaceful assembly.' Monday's demonstrations, which were met with police roadblocks preventing access to downtown Nairobi, were planned to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba pro-democracy protests. Saba Saba is Swahili for Seven Seven.
July 7 holds deep significance in Kenya, marking the first major pro-democracy protests in 1990 that called on then-President Daniel arap Moi — Ruto's political mentor — to transition from a one-party state to a multiparty democracy. That demand was realized during the 1992 General Elections.
This year's wave of protests was sparked by a blogger's death in police custody last month. Police shot a civilian at close range during a protest on June 17. On June 25, thousands of youths turned out across the country.
A total of 50 people have been killed in the protests over the last two weeks.
The Kenya National Cohesion and Integration Commission, a government body whose commissioners are appointed by the President, on Tuesday urged politicians not to fuel ethnic tensions and criticized police for using excessive force towards protesters.
Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen last week told police to 'shoot on sight' anyone who approaches police stations during protests after several were burned.
The public anger has built on Mr. Ruto's efforts to make Kenyans pay more to help pay off massive government debt. Last year, thousands of young people protesting rising taxes stormed parliament, leading Mr. Ruto to promise to cut government spending.
With some people taking advantage of the chaos, some businesses have said they have lost large amounts of goods.
"They invaded our shop, and by the way, we have lost so many things. We lost cash, phones, a lot of them,' mobile phone seller Nancy Gicharu said.
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Time of India
8 hours ago
- Time of India
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After securing major cuts in U.S. funding to the peacekeeping force, Secretary of State Marco Rubio signed off early last week on a plan that would wind down and end UNIFIL in the next six months, according to Trump administration officials and congressional aides familiar with the discussions. Live Events It's another step as the Trump administration drastically pares back its foreign affairs priorities and budget, including expressing skepticism of international alliances and cutting funding to U.N. agencies and missions. The transatlantic divide also has been apparent on issues ranging from Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza and the Russia-Ukraine conflict to trade, technology and free speech issues. Europeans push back against a quick end to UN peacekeeping in Lebanon Israel has for years sought an end to UNIFIL's mandate, and renewal votes have often come after weeks of political wrangling. 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First Post
21 hours ago
- First Post
Congo condemns Kenya's Goma consul move as breach of international law
Congo has rejected Kenya's appointment of a consul general in Goma, accusing Nairobi of breaching international law and bypassing diplomatic protocol Abandoned Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) that belonged to the Armed Forces of the Democratic Republic of Congo (FARDC) is seen at Goma airport after the town was seized by the M23 rebels, in Goma, Democratic Republic of Congo. File image/ Reuters The Congolese government rejected Kenya's appointment of a consul general in the conflict-torn city of Goma on Saturday, claiming a breach of international law and a lack of proper diplomatic procedures. Goma, in eastern Congo, has been the site of a struggle between the Congolese government and the Rwanda-backed M23 rebel group, which launched a lightning assault on the mineral-rich regional city in January. After many days of combat, the rebels took control of the city, and the Congolese army fled. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As required by international law and diplomatic protocol, Kenya did not communicate with the Congolese government in Kinshasa prior to making the declaration, the country's foreign ministry said in a statement on Saturday. M23, which is one of about a hundred groups fighting in eastern Congo, has attempted to establish a parallel government in the region, saying it is freeing the region from what it alleges is misrule by Kinshasa. M23 has been accused of widespread abuses, and Congo's government argued that that the way Kenya nominated the diplomat to the occupied city of Goma without informing the Congolese government could appear to legitimize the rebel group's occupation. Kenya's announcement was made Friday as part of a raft of diplomatic appointments. Congo's foreign ministry called for 'caution and discernment in public communication to avoid any misunderstanding, speculation, or the appearance of legitimization of the ongoing illegal occupation.' Qatar has tried to mediate between the Congolese government and the rebel group, which led to the signing of a 'declaration of principles' to end the decades-long fighting, but talks have since faltered and fighting has resumed. The conflict has been a magnet for neighbouring countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda and Kenya, all of which have had troops on the grounds, complicating regional efforts to end the fighting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Christian Moleka, a Congo-based political analyst, told The Associated Press that the appointment might have regional implications. He said it could reinforce Kinshasa's distrust of Kenya, which has been moving closer to Rwanda under President William Ruto, and weaken regional initiatives to establish peace.
