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Irish Examiner
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Examiner
Kenyan president ‘should resign over calls for police to shoot criminals'
Kenya's opposition leaders have demanded the president's resignation over his call for police to shoot those found stealing or burning property during protests. Their calls came as mourners attended the burial of a Kenyan civilian who was shot at close range by a police officer during a recent demonstration. Opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka said the president's order was 'against the constitution' and that he should 'resign or be impeached'. President William Ruto said on Wednesday that he would not allow 'anarchy' in the country disguised as peaceful demonstrations, and called for police to shoot and 'break the legs' of those found looting or damaging property during protests. Demonstrators gesture to anti-riot police during demonstrations (Brian Inganga/AP) Human rights groups have called for restraint among police officers as waves of protests have rocked Kenya in recent weeks. More than 50 people have died in the two major demonstrations, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The unrest began when the death of a blogger in police custody last month angered many Kenyans, and tensions heightened after the shooting of the civilian, Boniface Kariuki. Mr Kariuki was selling face masks to protesters during an anti-police brutality demonstration on June 17 when two officers appeared to confront him and shot him in the head as he walked away. On Thursday, an officer was charged with his murder. A plea hearing for the officer is set for July 28. Thousands turned out for protests on June 25, which coincided with the one-year anniversary of huge anti-tax protests. At Mr Kariuki's burial in Githunguri, Murang'a county, his body arrived in a white coffin draped with a Kenyan flag and a photo showing the moment he was shot was placed next to it. Young people danced around the coffin while waving a Kenyan flag. Mourners sing and dance at the funeral service (Brian Inganga/AP) No uniformed police officers were observed at the burial venue but anti-riot police remained deployed around Murang'a town. Murang'a County governor Irungu Kang'ata said local leaders would ensure justice is served. 'The government must take responsibility for the killing of Boniface,' he said. Several mothers of the more than 100 young people who have died in protests since last year's anti-tax demonstrations were present at the burial. Four police officers are currently in custody over the recent deaths of young people and are facing murder charges in court. Three officers were last month charged with the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody. Police had said he died after repeatedly banging his head on a wall, but a post-mortem examination report stated that the injuries were not self-inflicted. Another officer, Klinzy Barasa, on Thursday appeared in court where prosecution approved murder charges against him. He is expected to submit a plea on July 28.
Toronto Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- Toronto Star
Kenya's president says ‘enough is enough' and vows to end anti-government protests
ADDITION: CLARIFIES DATE - An armed police vehicle parks on road ahead of demonstrations to mark the historic 1990 Saba Saba (a Swahili word that means seven seven) protests for democratic reforms in the Kangemi slum of Nairobi, Kenya, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) BI flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: : sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false :
Glasgow Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Glasgow Times
Kenyan police clash with demonstrators leaving 10 dead
Authorities blocked major roads leading into the capital, Nairobi, and most businesses closed amid the strictest measures yet to contain the unrest. Protesters lit bonfires and threw stones at police. Police fired and hurled tear gas canisters, injuring demonstrators. Young men carried another man, his shirt drenched in blood, saying he had been shot. The protests were reported in 17 of 47 counties. Kenyans had planned demonstrations on July 7 to protest against police brutality, poor governance, and to demand President William Ruto's resignation over alleged corruption and the high cost of living. Kenyan riot police barricaded roads leading to Parliament buildings (Brian Inganga/AP) July 7 , known as Saba Saba, is a significant date in Kenya's recent history, marking the first major protests 35 years ago that called for a transition from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy, which was realised in the 1992 elections. Saba Saba is Swahili for Seven Seven, representing July 7. Police officers were stopping private and public vehicles from accessing the city centre. They were also blocking most pedestrians from entering the capital, only allowing through those deemed to have essential duties. 'There is no reversing the Gen Z Saba Saba-like spirit,' said Macharia Munene, professor of history and international relations at United States International University Africa in Nairobi. 'Attempt to criminalise protests is reactive and will not work. It instead makes the government appear retrogressive and desperate enough to subvert the constitution.' Public service minister Geoffrey Ruku had urged all government employees to report to work on Monday, insisting that the demonstrations would not disrupt public services. Interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on Sunday that the government would not tolerate violent protests and that police would be deployed to ensure public safety. The roads leading to the country's parliament and the president's office were barricaded using razor wire. On the outskirts of the city in Kitengela town, police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse protesters who had lit bonfires on the road that connects to neighbouring Tanzania. 'They have blocked the roads, blocking us from our work. I am a roadside vendor and I am supposed to get to town and buy merchandise to sell along the road,' said protester Caleb Okoth. 'What do they want us to eat? People are being beaten like dogs for protesting for their rights.' The country has recently experienced a wave of violent demonstrations, initially sparked by calls for police accountability following the death of a blogger in police custody. During protests on June 17, a civilian was shot at close range by police officers, further angering the public and prompting plans for additional demonstrations. On June 25, at least 16 people were killed and more than 400 injured during protests against police brutality, which were timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests where over 60 people lost their lives.
The Herald Scotland
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Kenyan police clash with demonstrators leaving 10 dead
Protesters lit bonfires and threw stones at police. Police fired and hurled tear gas canisters, injuring demonstrators. Young men carried another man, his shirt drenched in blood, saying he had been shot. The protests were reported in 17 of 47 counties. Kenyans had planned demonstrations on July 7 to protest against police brutality, poor governance, and to demand President William Ruto's resignation over alleged corruption and the high cost of living. Kenyan riot police barricaded roads leading to Parliament buildings (Brian Inganga/AP) July 7 , known as Saba Saba, is a significant date in Kenya's recent history, marking the first major protests 35 years ago that called for a transition from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy, which was realised in the 1992 elections. Saba Saba is Swahili for Seven Seven, representing July 7. Police officers were stopping private and public vehicles from accessing the city centre. They were also blocking most pedestrians from entering the capital, only allowing through those deemed to have essential duties. 'There is no reversing the Gen Z Saba Saba-like spirit,' said Macharia Munene, professor of history and international relations at United States International University Africa in Nairobi. 'Attempt to criminalise protests is reactive and will not work. It instead makes the government appear retrogressive and desperate enough to subvert the constitution.' Public service minister Geoffrey Ruku had urged all government employees to report to work on Monday, insisting that the demonstrations would not disrupt public services. Interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on Sunday that the government would not tolerate violent protests and that police would be deployed to ensure public safety. The roads leading to the country's parliament and the president's office were barricaded using razor wire. On the outskirts of the city in Kitengela town, police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse protesters who had lit bonfires on the road that connects to neighbouring Tanzania. 'They have blocked the roads, blocking us from our work. I am a roadside vendor and I am supposed to get to town and buy merchandise to sell along the road,' said protester Caleb Okoth. 'What do they want us to eat? People are being beaten like dogs for protesting for their rights.' The country has recently experienced a wave of violent demonstrations, initially sparked by calls for police accountability following the death of a blogger in police custody. During protests on June 17, a civilian was shot at close range by police officers, further angering the public and prompting plans for additional demonstrations. On June 25, at least 16 people were killed and more than 400 injured during protests against police brutality, which were timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests where over 60 people lost their lives.
Western Telegraph
5 days ago
- Politics
- Western Telegraph
Kenyan police clash with demonstrators leaving 10 dead
Authorities blocked major roads leading into the capital, Nairobi, and most businesses closed amid the strictest measures yet to contain the unrest. Protesters lit bonfires and threw stones at police. Police fired and hurled tear gas canisters, injuring demonstrators. Young men carried another man, his shirt drenched in blood, saying he had been shot. The protests were reported in 17 of 47 counties. Kenyans had planned demonstrations on July 7 to protest against police brutality, poor governance, and to demand President William Ruto's resignation over alleged corruption and the high cost of living. Kenyan riot police barricaded roads leading to Parliament buildings (Brian Inganga/AP) July 7 , known as Saba Saba, is a significant date in Kenya's recent history, marking the first major protests 35 years ago that called for a transition from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy, which was realised in the 1992 elections. Saba Saba is Swahili for Seven Seven, representing July 7. Police officers were stopping private and public vehicles from accessing the city centre. They were also blocking most pedestrians from entering the capital, only allowing through those deemed to have essential duties. 'There is no reversing the Gen Z Saba Saba-like spirit,' said Macharia Munene, professor of history and international relations at United States International University Africa in Nairobi. 'Attempt to criminalise protests is reactive and will not work. It instead makes the government appear retrogressive and desperate enough to subvert the constitution.' Public service minister Geoffrey Ruku had urged all government employees to report to work on Monday, insisting that the demonstrations would not disrupt public services. Interior minister Kipchumba Murkomen said on Sunday that the government would not tolerate violent protests and that police would be deployed to ensure public safety. The roads leading to the country's parliament and the president's office were barricaded using razor wire. On the outskirts of the city in Kitengela town, police fired tear gas on Monday to disperse protesters who had lit bonfires on the road that connects to neighbouring Tanzania. 'They have blocked the roads, blocking us from our work. I am a roadside vendor and I am supposed to get to town and buy merchandise to sell along the road,' said protester Caleb Okoth. 'What do they want us to eat? People are being beaten like dogs for protesting for their rights.' The country has recently experienced a wave of violent demonstrations, initially sparked by calls for police accountability following the death of a blogger in police custody. During protests on June 17, a civilian was shot at close range by police officers, further angering the public and prompting plans for additional demonstrations. On June 25, at least 16 people were killed and more than 400 injured during protests against police brutality, which were timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests where over 60 people lost their lives.
