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New York Times
a day ago
- Politics
- New York Times
Protests in Kenya
In Kenya, widespread antigovernment protests have escalated into deadly unrest and a deepening political crisis. Thousands of people nationwide have demonstrated against corruption and police brutality — and clashed with the police. Last week, officers fired live rounds at them and arrested more than 500. At least 38 people were killed, including two children, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said. Just a few weeks prior, police forces killed 16 people and injured over 400 others. For decades, Kenya has been a politically stable economic powerhouse, a democratic anchor in an increasingly tumultuous region. But now the government is cracking down: Authorities ordered broadcasters to stop covering the protests live and restricted internet access to the messaging app Telegram. President William Ruto said that protesters damaging businesses 'should be shot in the leg.' Some rights groups and opposition leaders are now warning of an authoritarian turn in the East African nation. Below, we explain how the protests began — and what may happen next. Why are people protesting? Kenya's protests are rooted in years of economic frustration, political disillusionment and growing anger at tough police tactics. People are angry that the economy has failed to deliver for most citizens. Youth unemployment is high, inflation erodes wages and many people can't get basic services like health care. Kenyans don't trust their institutions. President Ruto was elected in 2022, promising to fight corruption and represent the 'hustler nation' — the ordinary Kenyans struggling to make a living. But many now see those promises as hollow. Instead of reforms, they see ballooning debt, bloated government spending and officials showing off their wealth. A minister has openly spoken about his expensive watches, shoes and suits. Ruto has worn red-soled Louboutin shoes. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
BreakingNews.ie
4 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement
Sky News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Sky News
More than a dozen people killed in Kenya during anti-government protests, human rights group says
Sixteen people have died and hundreds of others have been injured in nationwide anti-government protests in Kenya, a human rights charity has said. It comes a year after deadly demonstrations against a tax bill resulted in the storming of parliament. Most were killed by police, the head of Amnesty Kenya said. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets on Wednesday to commemorate last year's protests, in which more than 60 people died. Police used water cannons and fired tear gas to disperse demonstrations in Nairobi. Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton told Reuters that 16 people had been "verified as dead". "Most were killed by police," he added, saying at least five people had been shot dead. Mr Houghton said the number of deaths had been verified by the global rights watchdog and the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). In a statement posted on X, the government-funded KNCHR earlier said eight deaths had been reported from across Kenya, all "allegedly from gunshot wounds". "Over 400 casualties have been reported, including demonstrators, police officers and journalists," it said. The watchdog noted heavy police deployment and "allegations of excessive use of force, including rubber bullets, live ammunition and water cannons, resulting in numerous injuries". Kenyan police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga declined to comment on the statements. An official at the capital's main Kenyatta National Hospital said it had admitted 107 injured people, "most with gunshot wounds" from either rubber bullets or live rounds. Large crowds were seen heading in the direction of the president's official residence in Nairobi, which had been barricaded with razor wire. The scenes were broadcast by Kenyan channel NTV before it and another were pulled off air after defying an order to stop showing the demonstrations live. Isolated clashes were reported in the port city of Mombasa by NTV, with protests also taking place in towns including Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu and Nyeri. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority, a state-funded body, said in a statement that at least 61 people were arrested during the protests. Protests in June 2024 saw demonstrators shot dead and fires started inside the Kenyan parliament after politicians voted in favour of a controversial tax bill. Protests faded after President William Ruto withdrew the bill, but public anger has remained over police brutality and the rising cost of living.
