In Nairobi, Kenya, the death toll from protests against police brutality and poor governance rose to 16, according to the state-funded human rights commission. The demonstrations involved thousands of frustrated young Kenyans and took place across 23 of the country’s 47 counties. Many protestors called for an end to police violence and demanded the resignation of President William Ruto, especially following the recent death of a blogger in custody and a shooting of a civilian during protests tied to this incident.
As tensions escalated, police deployed tear gas in downtown Nairobi to disperse crowds, leading to significant property damage. Angry protestors set fire to at least two police stations and vandalized numerous businesses, with reports of stolen goods. Kipchumba Murkomen, the country’s interior minister, visited affected areas to assess damage, emphasizing that police were not at fault and claiming they prevented a potential coup.
One relative of a deceased protestor recounted the tragic search for her nephew, who had been killed in the Rongai area. Amidst the turmoil, local business owners faced losses from looting, with one seller reporting losses of approximately 800,000 Kenya shillings (around $6,000).
The protests were organized via social media to coincide with the anniversary of previous anti-tax demonstrations that resulted in significant violence, including at least 60 deaths. While Parliament and the president’s office were secured with barricades, the recent events highlight ongoing frustrations among Kenyans regarding governance and police conduct.
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