Latest news with #AlbertOjwang
USA Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
More than a dozen deaths reported after anti-government protests in Kenya
NAIROBI - Torched buildings were smouldering and shop owners were cleaning up the charred wreckage in central Nairobi on Thursday, after a night of looting and arson followed youth demonstrations in which rights group Amnesty Kenya said 16 people were killed. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets on June 25 to mark the anniversary of deadly demonstrations a year ago and to protest against the death this month of a blogger held in police custody over a complaint by a senior police official. More than 60 people were killed in the 2024 demonstrations, led by youth who refer to themselves informally as Gen Z, against a proposed tax hike. This month has seen a number of demonstrations following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, found to have been beaten in jail. Wednesday's protests saw police fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Nairobi, with isolated clashes also breaking out in other towns. Reuters saw several protesters injured in clashes with police. Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton told Reuters the 16 who were killed on Wednesday had all died of gunshot wounds, suspected to have been inflicted by police officers. The police have not given an account of casualties or of any shooting. Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Smoke was billowing from at least 10 torched buildings in downtown Nairobi on Thursday morning. "Look: everything they burnt. So please government, try talking to the Gen Z. Because that this happened (because) of Gen Z. So the Gen Z, try to sit down and talk with the government," said Ibrahim Hamisi, owner of one of the burnt buildings. Shopkeeper Josephine Apondi said "thugs" had looted 2 million shillings ($15,500) worth of phones and electronics from her Nairobi shop. "Things are so tough in our country right now. Sometimes we come morning until evening and we have not sold. And to remember this is something you have invested in for so long," she said. Kenyan media also reported cases of destruction and looting in 26 other counties where protests took place. Prosecutors have approved murder charges against six people, including three police officers, in the case of the blogger Ojwang, 31, who died after being arrested as part of an investigation triggered by a complaint by the deputy national police chief, Eliud Lagat. All six defendants have pleaded not guilty. Reuters has been unable to reach Lagat for comment.
Reuters
2 days ago
- Politics
- Reuters
Kenyans clean up looted shops, torched buildings after day of deadly protests
NAIROBI, June 26 (Reuters) - Torched buildings were smouldering and shop owners were cleaning up the charred wreckage in central Nairobi on Thursday, after a night of looting and arson followed youth demonstrations in which rights group Amnesty Kenya said 16 people were killed. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets on Wednesday, to mark the anniversary of deadly demonstrations a year ago and to protest against the death this month of a blogger held in police custody over a complaint by a senior police official. More than 60 people were killed in the 2024 demonstrations, led by youth who refer to themselves informally as Gen Z, against a proposed tax hike. This month has seen a number of demonstrations following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang, found to have been beaten in jail. Wednesday's protests saw police fire tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds in Nairobi, with isolated clashes also breaking out in other towns. Reuters saw several protesters injured in clashes with police. Amnesty Kenya's executive director Irungu Houghton told Reuters the 16 who were killed on Wednesday had all died of gunshot wounds, suspected to have been inflicted by police officers. The police have not given an account of casualties or of any shooting. Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Smoke was billowing from at least 10 torched buildings in downtown Nairobi on Thursday morning. "Look: everything they burnt. So please government, try talking to the Gen Z. Because that this happened (because) of Gen Z. So the Gen Z, try to sit down and talk with the government," said Ibrahim Hamisi, owner of one of the burnt buildings. Shopkeeper Josephine Apondi said "thugs" had looted 2 million shillings ($15,500) worth of phones and electronics from her Nairobi shop. "Things are so tough in our country right now. Sometimes we come morning until evening and we have not sold. And to remember this is something you have invested in for so long," she said. Kenyan media also reported cases of destruction and looting in 26 other counties where protests took place. Prosecutors have approved murder charges against six people, including three police officers, in the case of the blogger Ojwang, 31, who died after being arrested as part of an investigation triggered by a complaint by the deputy national police chief, Eliud Lagat. All six defendants have pleaded not guilty. Reuters has been unable to reach Lagat for comment.
The Herald
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald
Eight dead, more than 400 injured as cops suppress Kenya protests
Isolated clashes were reported in the port city of Mombasa, according to NTV, with protests also in the towns of Kitengela, Kisii, Matuu and Nyeri. Though last year's protests faded after President William Ruto withdrew proposed tax hikes, public anger has remained over the use of excessive force by security agencies, with fresh demonstrations this month over the death of a blogger in police custody. Six people, including three police officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday over the killing of 31-year-old blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang. All have pleaded not guilty. Ojwang's death has become a lightning rod for Kenyans still mourning those who perished at last year's demonstrations, blamed on security forces, against a backdrop of dozens of unexplained disappearances. 'We are fighting for the rights of our fellow youths and Kenyans and the people who died since June 25 ... we want justice,' Lumumba Harmony, a protester, told Reuters in Nairobi. The unprecedented scenes on Wednesday, showing police firing at protesters as they broke through barriers to enter parliament, created the biggest crisis of Ruto's presidency and sparked alarm among Kenya's international allies. Reuters
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Can Kenyan youth protests spark real police reform one year on?
One year after major protests against corruption, Kenyans are holding remembrance marches for victims of police violence. Renewed demonstrations follow the death of a teacher in custody. RFI spoke to a policy analyst on whether youth protests can drive real reform. In 2024, widespread protests erupted across Kenya in response to a proposed bill that sought a significant increase in taxes, culminating on 25 June. These demonstrations were met with a forceful and violent response from the police. At least 60 people were killed during protests in June and July 2024, and dozens more were illegally detained by security forces in the aftermath. This year, the country's youth are back on the streets protesting against that violence. Although the government had called for calm since last summer, the death of Albert Ojwang in police custody - arrested for publishing a blog post criticising a police officer - sparked a new wave of protests in early June this year. Douglas Kivoi, a policy analyst at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA), told RFI that he was not surprised by the events, as they reflect the typical conduct of police officers in the country. Kivoi has been studying the role and behaviour of the police in Kenya for many years. "They are used in settling political scores and silencing any dissent that the powers are not comfortable with. So that is just one of the few that made it to the public domain. Many of those cases hardly make it to the media. If the family keeps quiet or is threatened with dire consequences," he told RFI. Read more on RFI EnglishRead also:Violence erupts in Kenya as 'goons' attack protesters over death in police custodyKenya protests reignited by custody death, but 'Gen Z' movement remains dividedSilencing dissent in Tanzania, reckoning with genocide in Namibia
Daily Maverick
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Maverick
At least 10 people hospitalized with gunshot wounds in Nairobi protests
At least 10 people have been admitted to Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi with gunshot wounds as thousands of Kenyans took to the streets on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of anti-government protests, a hospital source and Kenya's Citizen Television said. Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets on Wednesday to mark the one-year anniversary of anti-government protests that killed at least 60 people and culminated in the storming of the national parliament. Police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital Nairobi and blocked incoming traffic towards the central business district, the epicentre of the protests, according to local television stations and a Reuters witness. Marches in the port city of Mombasa and the city of Nakuru proceeded peacefully. Although last year's protests against proposed tax increases eventually faded after President William Ruto withdrew the planned hikes, public anger over the use of force by security agencies has not abated, with fresh demonstrations erupting this month over the death of a blogger in police custody. Six people, including three police officers, were charged with murder on Tuesday over the killing of 31-year-old blogger and teacher, Albert Ojwang. All have pleaded not guilty. The death of Ojwang has become a lightning rod for Kenyans still mourning the deaths of protesters killed at last year's demonstrations, blamed on security forces, along with rights groups claims of dozens of unexplained abductions. Members of the public and opposition leaders placed wreaths near razor wire barriers outside parliament on Wednesday. 'A year later, nothing has happened,' Kalonzo Musyoka, leader of the opposition Wiper Party, told reporters, criticising the government over its perceived failure to address protesters' concerns. The interior ministry in a post on X on Tuesday warned demonstrators not to 'provoke police' or 'attempt to breach protected areas.' 'REFRAIN FROM VIOLENCE' The unprecedented scenes on June 25, 2024, showing police firing at protesters as they broke through barriers to enter parliament, created the biggest crisis of Ruto's presidency and sparked alarm among Kenya's international allies. 'No amount of compensation will fill that vacuum. No amount of money will replace Rex,' Gillian Munyau, mother of Rex Kanyike Masai, one of the first demonstrators killed last year, said in an interview on NTV Kenya television. On Tuesday, the embassies of the United States, Britain, Canada and other Western nations released a joint statement on X urging all to 'facilitate peaceful demonstrations and to refrain from violence.' 'The use of plain-clothed officers in unmarked vehicles erodes public trust,' the statement said. Rights campaigners condemned the presence of unidentified police officers at protests last year. The embassies said they were troubled by the use of hired 'goons' to disrupt peaceful demonstrations, after Reuters reporters saw groups of men beating protesters with sticks and whips last week. Kenya's foreign affairs ministry said in a statement late on Tuesday that any policing violations would be addressed through government institutions including parliament and the judiciary. The counter-protesters have defended their actions, telling Reuters that they are not goons but rather patriots protecting property from looters. Two police officers were arrested last week over the shooting of an unarmed civilian during a protest in Nairobi over the death of Ojwang, the blogger.
