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Rabat – Amnesty Kenya, a Human Rights organisation, has claimed that at least 16 people have been killed in nationwide protests. This comes a year after the #RejectFinanceBill2024 protests.
Thousands of protesters have taken to the streets across Kenya to oppose William Ruto’s government, the rising cost of living, and continued police brutality.
Large crowds headed to the State House, which is the official residence of the Kenyan President. The national television channels KTN and NTV were ordered not to broadcast the protests.
Demonstrations had also been occurring across the country in cities like Nyeri, Mombasa, Kisii, and Meru, causing violence to erupt across the nation.
This has led to violent clashes between protestors and the state security forces. Police have used tear gas and water cannons to crack down on the activists. In Nairobi, video footage has shown plumes of white tear gas being used, sending protestors scrambling for cover.
There have been reports of 400 people injured, including demonstrators, police officers, and journalists. Nairobi’s Kenyatta National Hospital has received dozens of wounded people. The hospital made an announcement stating that “107 people have been admitted with gunshot injuries.”
Amnesty Kenya and Kenyan Human Rights organisations have stated that the number of fatalities has risen to around sixteen, with protestors being targeted with live and rubber bullets.
These protests have taken place a year after the large-scale clashes last year against the Kenyan Finance Bill. Last year’s protests had led to the storming of parliament and at least 60 deaths.
Protestors have been expressing widespread anger against the Ruto administration. William Ruto came to power after a populist campaign promising to work for the poorer Kenyan people.
The cost of living in Kenya has also increased in recent years, despite tax hikes, and police brutality has been widespread. After the protests last year, there have been countless reports of abductions across the republic, and this month, a blogger died in police custody.
President Ruto stated that “protests should not be used 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.”
These protests have once again put the Ruto government under pressure, with widespread anger and discontent against his administration.
