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Al Bawaba
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Bawaba
Eight Kenyans killed, hundreds injured in nationwide protests against President Ruto
ALBAWABA- At least eight people have been killed and more than 400 injured during nationwide protests in Kenya against President William Ruto's government, according to a joint statement issued by the Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group. Also Read Trump: Iran's conflict with Israel may reignite soon The protests, which spread across major cities, saw thousands of demonstrators flooding the streets, chanting slogans like 'Ruto must go' and waving tree branches in a symbolic gesture of peaceful resistance. Police clashed with demonstrators in several locations, using tear gas and barricades to prevent crowds from reaching key government sites, including the State House and parliament, as reported by the BBC. Protesters, many of them youth-led, faced off with heavily armed forces behind razor wire fencing. The same fencing encircled parliament after it was stormed and partially set ablaze exactly one year ago. President Ruto, who was away from the capital attending a funeral in Kilifi, called for calm. 'Protests should not be used to destroy peace in Kenya. We don't have another country to go to. It is our responsibility to keep our country safe,' he said. His absence from the State House during the height of unrest raised eyebrows as demonstrators threatened to storm the compound. Authorities initially banned live television and radio coverage of the protests. Still, the decision was swiftly overturned by the High Court in Nairobi, affirming media freedom amid growing concerns over transparency and state suppression. Wednesday's protests come against a backdrop of deepening public frustration over economic conditions, alleged police brutality, and growing disillusionment with Ruto's leadership. Among the 400 injured, 83 required specialized treatment, and at least eight sustained gunshot wounds. The casualties also included three police officers. In Nairobi's city center, shuttered businesses and smoke from tear gas painted a grim picture, but protesters remained defiant. Many carried placards bearing the names of those killed during last year's deadly protests, with floral wreaths placed near parliament in tribute. At least eight people have been killed and more than 400 injured during nationwide protests in Kenya against President William Ruto's government, according to a joint statement issued by the Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group. The protests, which spread across major cities, saw thousands of demonstrators flooding the streets, chanting slogans like 'Ruto must go' and waving tree branches in a symbolic gesture of peaceful resistance. Police clashed with demonstrators in several locations, using tear gas and barricades to prevent crowds from reaching key government sites including State House and parliament. Protesters, many of them youth-led, faced off with heavily armed forces behind razor wire fencing — the same fencing that encircled parliament after it was stormed and partially set ablaze exactly one year ago. President Ruto, who was away from the capital attending a funeral in Kilifi, called for calm. 'Protests should not be used to destroy peace in Kenya. We don't have another country to go to. It is our responsibility to keep our country safe,' he said. His absence from State House during the height of unrest raised eyebrows as demonstrators threatened to storm the compound. Authorities initially banned live television and radio coverage of the protests, but the decision was swiftly overturned by the High Court in Nairobi, affirming media freedom amid growing concerns over transparency and state suppression. Wednesday's protests come against a backdrop of deepening public frustration over economic conditions, alleged police brutality, and growing disillusionment with Ruto's leadership. Among the 400 injured, 83 required specialized treatment and at least eight sustained gunshot wounds. The casualties also included three police officers. In Nairobi's city center, shuttered businesses and smoke from tear gas painted a grim picture, but protesters remained defiant. Many carried placards bearing the names of those killed during last year's deadly protests, with floral wreaths placed near parliament in tribute. A young woman draped in the Kenyan flag held a poster honoring those slain — a stark reminder that, for many Kenyans, the struggle is far from over.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Politics
- BBC News
Kenya's Gen Z protests: Eight killed, medics say, as thousands march in Nairobi
At least eight people have been killed and 400 injured in nationwide protests in Kenya against President William Ruto's government, doctors and rights groups have said. Police clashed with protesters, who marched in their thousands - some chanting "Ruto must go" and waving branches as a symbol of peaceful opposition to his government banned live TV and radio coverage of the demonstrations, but its decree was overturned by the High Court in the capital, Nairobi. Ruto urged protesters not to threaten peace and stability, as crowds tried to reach his official residence but were pushed back by police. The president was speaking at a burial ceremony in the coastal county of Kilifi."Protests should not be to destroy peace in Kenya. We do not have another country to go to when things go wrong. It is our responsibility to keep our country safe," he absence from State House, his official residence, was notable as young protesters threatened to storm the death of a blogger has put Kenya's police on trialBBC identifies security forces who shot Kenya anti-tax protestersPolice used barricades and razor wire to seal off major roads - especially those leading to State House and protests were held exactly a year after demonstrators stormed parliament, setting part of the building ablaze. At least 60 people were killed in a wave of anti-government protests last year. The authorities have not yet given any casualty figures from Wednesday's protests, but the Kenya Medical Association, Law Society of Kenya and the Police Reforms Working Group said in a joint statement that at least eight protesters were the 400 injured, 83 required "specialised treatment" and eight had suffered gunshot wounds. The injured included three police officers, the statement added. Video footage showed plumes of white tear gas drifting between tall buildings, sending protesters scrambling for cover, coughing, and shielding their eyes. But they returned, chanting the heart of Nairobi, protesters marched pass shuttered shops and empty streets. The razor wire fencing around parliament stood as a stark reminder of last year's violent Wednesday, the fence around parliament was lined with wreaths and handwritten notes from grieving families and defiant youths.A young woman draped in a Kenyan flag clutched a poster bearing the names of those killed a year ago by the security forces as they tried to end the protests. More Kenya storied from the BBC: El Chapo & Deputy Jesus - why Kenya's president has so many nicknamesFour Kenyan police officers charged over baby's killing as others freedNew faces of protest - Kenya's Gen Z anti-tax revolutionaries Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
