Latest news with #antiTaxProtests
News24
a day ago
- Politics
- News24
Kenya protests: 16 dead as government denounces ‘terrorism disguised as dissent'
Kenya's government denounced nationwide demonstrations marking the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests. The protests resulted in at least 16 deaths - mostly from gunshot wounds, 400+ wounded, and thousands of businesses destroyed through looting and arson. The demonstrations reflect deep public resentment toward President William Ruto over continued economic stagnation, high taxes, corruption, and police brutality. Kenya's under-fire government on Thursday condemned protests across the country during which at least 16 people were killed and thousands of businesses ruined as "terrorism disguised as dissent". The marches on Wednesday were called to mark the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations that peaked when a huge crowd stormed parliament and dozens were killed by security forces. The rallies began peacefully but descended into chaos as young men held running battles with police, lit fires and ripped up pavements to use as projectiles. "What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent," Kipchumba Murkomen, interior cabinet secretary, said in a televised speech. "We condemn the criminal anarchists who in the name of peaceful demonstrations unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault and destruction upon our people," he said, calling events an "attempted coup". In Nairobi's business district, the epicentre of the unrest, AFP journalists found entire shopping centres and thousands of businesses destroyed, many still smouldering. At least two banks had been broken into, while businesses, ranging from supermarkets to small electronics and clothing stores, were reduced to ashes or ransacked by looters. "When we came we found the whole premise burnt down," said Raphael Omondi, 36, owner of a print shop, adding that he had lost machines worth $150 000. "There were guys stealing, and after stealing they set the whole premises on fire... If this is what protest is, it is not worth it." "They looted everything... I do not know where to start," said Maureen Chepkemoi, 32, owner of a perfume store. "To protest is not bad but why are you coming to protest inside my shop? It is wicked," she added. Several business owners told AFP that looting had started in the afternoon after the government ordered TV and radio stations to stop broadcasting live images of the protests. 'My everything' Amnesty International's Kenya director Irungu Houghton said the death toll had risen to 16. Rights group Vocal Africa, which was documenting the deaths and helping affected families at a Nairobi morgue, said at least four bodies had been brought there so far. "All of them had signs of gunshots, so we suspect they all died of gunshot wounds," its head Hussein Khalid told AFP. "We condemn this excessive use of force," he said. "We believe that the police could have handled themselves with restraint." "You come out to protest police killings, and they kill even more." One of those at the morgue was Winifred Mwangi, whose husband was killed during the demonstrations and who fainted as she tried to speak about the father of her two girls. "He was my everything," she said, adding she did not know what she would do without her husband. A coalition of rights groups earlier said at least 400 people were wounded, with 83 in serious condition in hospital. It recorded protests in 23 counties around Kenya. Emergency responders reported multiple gunshot wounds and there were unconfirmed local media reports that police had opened fire on protesters, particularly in towns outside the capital. President William Ruto, who came to power in 2022 promising rapid economic progress, faces deep resentment. Many are disillusioned by continued economic stagnation, corruption and high taxes, as well as police brutality after a teacher was killed in custody earlier this month.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
What to Know About the Antigovernment Protests in Kenya
Thousands of people took part in protests against police brutality and government corruption in cities across Kenya on Wednesday. The protests, expressing disenchantment with President William Ruto, were marked by clashes with security forces that left at least eight dead and hundreds injured. The demonstrations were held to mark the first anniversary of mass anti-tax protests during which 60 died and dozens were abducted by Kenyan police. While it is not clear whether the current protests will be as big as last year's, some experts say the pressure on the Kenyan government has led to some changes. Here is what to know about the protests in Kenya. Where are the protests taking place? Demonstrations broke out in various Kenyan cities, but the largest groups were in the capital, Nairobi. Businesses and banks in the city center were closed as the police fired tear gas at protesters waving Kenyan flags. Security forces barricaded the president's office and Parliament with razor wire and closed off major routes to the buildings. Last year, protesters briefly set the entrance of the legislature on fire. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
