Nairobi, Kenya – Kenyan police fired tear gas to disperse small crowds in the capital city of Nairobi on Tuesday, as youth activists called for renewed protests following last month’s deadly violence during demonstrations against proposed tax hikes.
AFP reporters on the ground observed these developments as tensions continued to simmer despite recent government concessions.
The demonstrations are part of a broader campaign against President William Ruto, who last week announced that he would not sign into law the controversial finance bill that had sparked widespread outrage and protests.
However, activists remain determined, continuing their calls for Ruto’s resignation under the hashtag “#RutoMustGo.”
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported on Monday that 39 people had been killed and 361 injured during two weeks of demonstrations, condemning the use of force by security forces as “excessive and disproportionate.”
On Tuesday morning, Nairobi’s central business district—previously a hotspot for rallies—saw most shops closed and police sporadically firing tear gas to scatter small groups of protesters.
Local politician John Kwenya voiced his frustration over the closures, claiming there was “no alarm” despite some instances of looting the previous Thursday.
“They are scared. I told people to open their businesses, but most were afraid; they even moved their goods from the shops,” Kwenya told AFP. “This is economic sabotage. The last protest wasn’t Gen-Zs; they were goons,” he added, referring to the violence at Thursday’s rally.
Elsewhere in the country, larger crowds were seen marching in the coastal opposition stronghold of Mombasa, as shown on Kenyan television. Smaller rallies with a heavy police presence were reported in the cities of Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nyeri.
The recent protests have largely been driven by Gen-Z Kenyans, who have taken to social media to organize and voice their opposition to the raft of tax increases.
What began as largely peaceful rallies descended into chaos last Tuesday when lawmakers passed the deeply unpopular finance bill.
The announcement of the vote led to crowds ransacking the parliament complex in central Nairobi, setting parts of it ablaze, and clashing violently with police who fired live bullets at protesters.
President Ruto, in a televised interview on Sunday, acknowledged that 19 people had lost their lives but defended his decision to deploy the armed forces to manage the unrest.
“I do not have blood on my hands,” Ruto insisted, maintaining that his actions were necessary to restore order.
Despite Ruto’s assurances, the public’s dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of the economic crisis and tax hikes remains palpable. The unrest has significantly disrupted daily life and economic activities, particularly in major urban centers.
As the situation develops, human rights organizations and international observers continue to call for restraint and dialogue to address the grievances of the protesters while ensuring the protection of human rights.
The Kenyan government faces increasing pressure to find a peaceful resolution to the ongoing crisis, balancing economic reforms with the urgent need to address public discontent.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
