Latest news with #IsaacMwaura
Hindustan Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
8 dead in Kenya protests against police brutality, poor governance
At least eight Kenyans died and more than 80 others were receiving specialized treatment Wednesday, with some sustaining gunshot wounds, during countrywide protests against police brutality and poor governance, human rights groups said. Protesters gather in front of a police cordon backed by a water cannon truck during clashes in downtown Nairobi on June 25, 2025.(AFP) The state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported monitoring countrywide demonstrations, leading to over 400 injuries and more than 60 arrests during Wednesday's protests spreading across 23 of 47 counties. The protests were timed to mark the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations in which 60 people were killed and 20 others remain missing. Parliament and the president's office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, were barricaded with razor wire, with all access roads blockaded by police. Thousands of protesters clashed with police who hurled tear gas canisters and fired rounds and wielded batons, leaving several people injured. The protests, which spread to major cities including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyahururu, morphed into calls for the president to resign over poor governance. During last year's protests, demonstrators stormed Parliament where legislation to increase taxes was passed, burning part of the building as lawmakers fled. Bodies lay in the streets, and medical workers and watchdogs said police had opened fire. The military was deployed. Kenyan youth remain unhappy with the current administration due to corruption, rising cost of living and police brutality, and the recent death of a blogger in custody. The close-range shooting of a civilian during recent protests has exacerbated public anger. President William Ruto on Wednesday urged protesters not to 'destroy' the country. 'We do not have another country to go to when things go wrong. It is our responsibility to keep our country safe,' he said while attending a burial in coastal Kenya as protesters charged towards his Nairobi office. Young Kenyans used social media to plan protests in remembrance of those who died last year. The government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, on Monday said there would be no protests, and that Wednesday was a 'normal working day.' But businesses in Nairobi on Wednesday remained closed and police limited the movement of vehicles into the central business district. Hundreds of Kenyans were already on the streets early in the morning, chanting anti-government slogans as police hurled tear gas canisters at some of the crowds. An Associated Press journalist witnessed a demonstrator being injured in the mouth by a round fired by police toward a crowd. Another protester was clobbered on the head by anti-riot police and was taken by medics in an ambulance. Wangechi Kahuria, the executive director for the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, an NGO that tracked killings during protests, said that Kenyans should be 'allowed to mourn and go back home.' Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja on Tuesday said no unauthorized persons would be allowed inside protected zones such as Parliament and the statehouse. A protester, Rose Murugi, said police were part of the problem, adding, "We will say it boldly, we will say it courageously, police brutality must end and Ruto must go.' Another protester, Derrick Mwangi, 25, said 'we are fed up as the youth.' 'People are being abducted, people are being killed," he said. "The police have started using force which is very bad at this rate.' Local media on Wednesday published the names and photos of some of those who died during last year's protests. The headline of a major newspaper, The Standard, read 'A luta Continua," which means 'The struggle continues' in Portuguese. It was the slogan of rebels during Mozambique's struggle for independence from colonial rule. During the protests, the Communication Authority banned the live coverage of demonstrations and switched off some of the free-to-air television signals, drawing condemnation from human rights groups. Political analyst Herman Manyora called the protesters 'heroes' who paid the ultimate price and should be remembered. 'The authorities should work with the demonstrators to ensure a good commemoration,' he said. Manyora, however, warned that the protesters remain unhappy with the authorities because the 'government has been intransigent and has hardened the resolve of the young people to keep fighting.' During last year's protests, President Ruto dissolved the Cabinet that had been accused of incompetence and corruption but kept most of his previous ministers in his new Cabinet despite concerns. A finance bill proposing high taxes that had been passed by Parliament was withdrawn, but later in the year, more taxes were introduced through legislative amendments. President Ruto appointed opposition party members to the Cabinet last year and in March he signed a political pact with his election rival, opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The Independent
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
Young people in Kenya protest police brutality and bad governance as demonstration spread
Thousands of protesters against police brutality and government corruption clashed with police in Nairobi, who hurled tear gas canisters and wielded batons, leaving several people injured, as demonstrations spread around the country. The protests were timed to mark the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations in which 60 people were killed and 20 others remain missing. Parliament and the president's office in the Kenya's capital were barricaded with razor wire, with all access roads blockaded by police. The protests, which have now spread to major cities including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Nyahururu, have morphed into calls for the president to resign due to what protesters are saying is poor governance. During last year's protests, demonstrators stormed Parliament where a legislation to increase taxes was passed, burning part of the building as lawmakers fled. Bodies lay in the streets, and medical workers and watchdogs said police had opened fire. The military was deployed. Kenyan youth remain unhappy with the current administration due to corruption, rising cost of living and police brutality, and the recent death of a blogger in custody. The close-range shooting of a civilian during recent protests has exacerbated public anger. Young Kenyans used social media to plan protests in remembrance of those who died last year. The government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, on Monday said there would be no protests, and that Wednesday was a 'normal working day.' But businesses in Nairobi on Wednesday remained closed and police limited the movement of vehicles into the central business district. Hundreds of Kenyans were already on the streets early in the morning, chanting anti-government slogans as police hurled tear gas cannisters at some of the crowds. An Associated Press journalist witnessed a demonstrator being injured in the mouth by a round fired by police towards a crowd. Another protester was clobbered on the head by antiriot police and was taken by medics in an ambulance. Wangechi Kahuria, the executive director for the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, an NGO that tracked the killings during protests, said that Kenyans should be 'allowed to mourn and go back home.' Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja on Tuesday said no unauthorized persons would be allowed inside protected zones such as Parliament and the statehouse. Local media on Wednesday published the names and photos of some of those who died during last year's protests. The headline in a major newspaper, The Standard, read 'A luta Continua," which means 'The struggle continues' in Portuguese and was the slogan of rebels during Mozambique's struggle for independence from colonial rule. Political analyst Herman Manyora called the protesters 'heroes' who paid the ultimate price and should be remembered. 'The authorities should work with the demonstrators to ensure a good commemoration,' he said. Manyora, however, warned that the protesters remain unhappy with the authorities because the 'government has been intransigent and has hardened the resolve of the young people to keep fighting.' During last year's protests, President Ruto dissolved the Cabinet that had been accused of incompetence and corruption but maintained most of his previous ministers in his new Cabinet despite concerns. A finance bill proposing high taxes that had been passed by Parliament was withdrawn, but later in the year, more taxes were introduced through legislative amendments. President Ruto appointed opposition party members to the Cabinet last year and in March he signed a political pact with his election rival, opposition leader Raila Odinga.
Arab Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab Times
Kenya's parliament and president's office barricaded ahead of anniversary protests
NAIROBI, Kenya, June 25, (AP): Parliament and the president's office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, were barricaded Wednesday ahead of protests planned for the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations in which 60 people were killed and 20 others remain missing. There was a heavy police presence and the roads leading to Parliament were barricaded with razor wire, as was President William Ruto's statehouse office. During last year's protests, demonstrators stormed Parliament, burning part of the building as lawmakers fled. Bodies lay in the streets, and medical workers and watchdogs said police had opened fire. The military was deployed. Kenyan youth remain unhappy with the current administration due to corruption, rising cost of living and police brutality, and the recent death of a blogger in custody. The close-range shooting of a civilian during recent protests has exacerbated public anger. Young Kenyans used social media to plan protests in remembrance of those who died last year. The government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, on Monday said there would be no protests, and that Wednesday was a "normal working day.' But businesses in Nairobi on Wednesday remained closed and police limited the movement of vehicles into the central business district. Hundreds of Kenyans were already on the streets early in the morning, chanting anti-government slogans as police hurled tear gas cannisters at some of the crowds. Wangechi Kahuria, the executive director for the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, an NGO that tracked the killings during protests, said that Kenyans should be "allowed to mourn and go back home.' Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja on Tuesday said no unauthorized persons would be allowed inside protected zones such as Parliament and the statehouse. Local media on Wednesday published the names and photos of some of those who died during last year's protests. The headline in a major newspaper, The Standard, read "A luta Continua," which means "The struggle continues' in Portuguese and was the slogan of rebels during Mozambique's struggle for independence from colonial rule. Political analyst Herman Manyora called the protesters "heroes' who paid the ultimate price and should be remembered. "The authorities should work with the demonstrators to ensure a good commemoration,' he said. Manyora, however, warned that the protesters remain unhappy with the authorities because the "government has been intransigent and has hardened the resolve of the young people to keep fighting.'
Associated Press
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Kenya's parliament and president's office barricaded ahead of anniversary protests
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Parliament and the president's office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, were barricaded Wednesday ahead of protests planned for the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations in which 60 people were killed and 20 others remain missing. There was a heavy police presence and the roads leading to Parliament were barricaded with razor wire, as was President William Ruto's statehouse office. During last year's protests, demonstrators stormed Parliament, burning part of the building as lawmakers fled. Bodies lay in the streets, and medical workers and watchdogs said police had opened fire. The military was deployed. Kenyan youth remain unhappy with the current administration due to corruption, rising cost of living and police brutality, and the recent death of a blogger in custody. The close-range shooting of a civilian during recent protests has exacerbated public anger. Young Kenyans used social media to plan protests in remembrance of those who died last year. The government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, on Monday said there would be no protests, and that Wednesday was a 'normal working day.' But businesses in Nairobi on Wednesday remained closed and police limited the movement of vehicles into the central business district. Hundreds of Kenyans were already on the streets early in the morning, chanting anti-government slogans as police hurled tear gas cannisters at some of the crowds. Wangechi Kahuria, the executive director for the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, an NGO that tracked the killings during protests, said that Kenyans should be 'allowed to mourn and go back home.' Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja on Tuesday said no unauthorized persons would be allowed inside protected zones such as Parliament and the statehouse. Local media on Wednesday published the names and photos of some of those who died during last year's protests. The headline in a major newspaper, The Standard, read 'A luta Continua,' which means 'The struggle continues' in Portuguese and was the slogan of rebels during Mozambique's struggle for independence from colonial rule. Political analyst Herman Manyora called the protesters 'heroes' who paid the ultimate price and should be remembered. 'The authorities should work with the demonstrators to ensure a good commemoration,' he said. Manyora, however, warned that the protesters remain unhappy with the authorities because the 'government has been intransigent and has hardened the resolve of the young people to keep fighting.' During last year's protests, President Ruto dissolved the Cabinet that had been accused of incompetence and corruption but maintained most of his previous ministers in his new Cabinet despite concerns. A finance bill proposing high taxes that had been passed by Parliament was withdrawn, but later in the year, more taxes were introduced through legislative amendments. President Ruto appointed opposition party members to the Cabinet last year and in March he signed a political pact with his election rival, opposition leader Raila Odinga.
News24
07-05-2025
- Politics
- News24
Kenya: Shoe hurled at Ruto a ‘sign of desperation'
Kenya's President William Ruto narrowly avoided injury on Sunday when a shoe was hurled at him during a public rally in Kehancha, Migori County. The incident, captured on video, occurred as the president addressed the crowd on the government's efforts to reduce the cost of living, a topic that has sparked widespread public dissatisfaction in Kenya. Videos circulating on social media show the president deflecting the incoming shoe with his arm before continuing his speech. Kenya's Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that three individuals have been arrested in connection with the incident, and investigations are ongoing to determine the motive behind the act. Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura condemned the act, stating on social media: 'What would happen if we all decided to throw shoes at each other, what values are we teaching our children?' READ | Kenyan lawmaker shot dead in Nairobi Frustrations over the rising cost of living The shoe-throwing incident comes amid growing public frustration over economic challenges, including high inflation and recent tax hikes, which many citizens blame for worsening the cost of living and shrinking household incomes across the country. Another angle shows how the shoe 'accidentally' hit President Ruto during his Migori tour — Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) May 5, 2025 Basic commodities such as cooking oil, sugar, and fuel have seen significant price increases, prompting complaints from consumers and small-scale traders alike who feel abandoned by policymakers. Analysts say the shoe-hurling incident may reflect a symbolic act of defiance. 'It's a reflection of bottled-up anger,' said political commentator Virginia Wanjiru. 'When people feel unheard, such actions, while not justifiable, become expressions of extreme frustration,' Wanjiru said. 'The government should view this not as an isolated act of indiscipline, but as a warning sign of deeper societal unrest.' Over the past year, the Kenyan government has introduced several fiscal reforms, including new tax measures under the Finance Act, which have stirred public discontent. Critics argue that while the administration touts the reforms as necessary for economic stability and debt reduction, the burden has fallen disproportionately on low- and middle-income households. Government urges citizens to abide by the law Authorities in Kenya have urged the public to express their grievances peacefully and lawfully. Despite the government's efforts to address these issues, many Kenyans feel that more needs to be done. Local resident Maureen Mwihaki expressed her discontent. 'We are tired of promises. Life is becoming unbearable, and we need real solutions, not just words,' Mwihaki said, stressing that President Ruto needed to listen to the people. I don't like our president, he needs to do better. Maureen Mwihaki For Brian Njuguna Mwangi, a small business owner, the shoe thrown at Ruto reflects the desperation of the people. 'We are tired,' he said. 'That was not just a shoe, it was defiance. While I don't condone violence, it's a wake-up call for our leaders to listen to the citizens' plight.' The incident has raised concerns across East Africa about the security of public officials and the increasing tension between the government and its citizens.
