Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, has been declared off-limits for protests indefinitely by the police. This decision announced recently, cited concerns over leadership failures to ensure peaceful demonstrations. The ban came just hours before a planned protest aimed at demanding the resignation of President William Ruto due to perceived governance failures.
Acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja stated that the absence of effective leadership made it challenging to guarantee safety during protests. Recent demonstrations have led to significant disruptions, including looting and property damage, causing losses for businesses in the city.
While no protesters were yet visible on the streets, major roads leading to the president’s office remained barricaded by police. The unrest began over a month ago, sparked initially by opposition to a contentious finance bill proposing higher taxes amid a severe cost-of-living crisis and mounting public debt.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported at least 50 fatalities since protests began on June 18. President Ruto, responding to mounting pressure, refused to sign the finance bill passed by parliament on June 25, a day marred by protesters storming and setting fire to part of the legislative building, prompting lawmakers to flee.
Last week, President Ruto dismissed nearly his entire Cabinet and the attorney general amidst accusations of incompetence, corruption, and lavish spending by ministers. Ahead of the planned protests, businesses in Nairobi preemptively closed their doors, and police presence was visibly heightened across the central business district.
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Accusations of police brutality against protesters have intensified, leading to the resignation of former Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome. Demonstrators had demanded accountability for the shooting of protesters, prompting the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to forward several cases of alleged police brutality to the director of public prosecutions for further action.
Kenya’s police force has faced longstanding accusations of excessive force. Currently, a contingent of 400 Kenyan officers is deployed in Haiti as part of a UN-backed mission aimed at combating gang violence, highlighting their dual role in both domestic and international security operations.
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