Latest news with #DrAronSikuku
Yahoo
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
10 dead, dozens arrested in more anti-government protests in Kenya
July 7 (UPI) -- At least 10 people were shot dead and 29 injured in Kenya as anti-government protests erupted after restarting early last month. Two bodies initially were taken to Eagle Nursing Home in Kangemi, on the outskirts of the capital city of Nairobi, after suffering apparent gunshot wounds. Hundreds of protestors gathered outside the hospital to demand the bodies, local medic Dr. Aron Sikuku told the BBC. "Police operated in plainclothes and unmarked vehicles" on Monday and collaborated with "armed criminal gangs in Nairobi, Kajiado, Nakuru, Kiambu, and Eldoret," according to the state-run Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KHRC) in a scathing report on excessive police force. Kenyan police officials have denied such previous accusations. On Sunday, Kenyan security agencies were "on high alert to deal decisively with criminals and other elements of ill intent who may seek to infiltrate peaceful processions to cause havoc, mayhem, or destruction of property," Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen posted on X earlier that day. Meanwhile, government officials have yet to confirm Monday's reported fatalities. The demonstrations marked the 35th anniversary of Kenya's Saba Saba protests, meaning "seven-seven," which launched in 1990 to push for multiparty democracy in the African nation. Reports indicate that hundreds of early morning commuters and overnight travelers were stranded in Nairobi, with few vehicles allowed to enter the city. Also, the road to key government sites -- such as Kenya's parliament building and the presidential residence -- were barricaded with razor wire. According to the Nation, a leading Kenyan newspaper, the nationwide demonstrations spread to at least 17 of Kenya's 47 counties. Some school officials advised students to remain home over fears of violence. Tear gas and water cannons were used by authorities as clashes broke out and fires lit in parts of Nairobi in attempts to breach police barricades. Hundreds were stranded by midmorning inside and outside the center of the city, with major roads closed and many commuters unable to afford to pay extra money for transit to their destination. "We want the government to engage in a dialogue with Gen Zs so all this can come to an end," Humphrey Gumbishi, a bus driver, told the BBC. He said they started traveling at 8:30 p.m. local time Sunday night only to find police blocks. The ongoing demonstrations, largely led by Gen-Z participants, have demanded greater accountability, good governance and justice for victims of police brutality. The continued wave of deadly anti-government protests started last year against President William Ruto's unpopular tax policies amid rising everyday costs as scores of Kenyans were killed at the time after storming parliament in June 2024. At least 19 citizens were killed a few weeks ago on June 25 as thousands of businesses were looted and destroyed in one day as violent activity gripped the country and government officials banned live TV coverage in attempts to quell violence. In early June, protests again erupted, spurred by the questionable death in police custody of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang. On Sunday, the Kenyan Human Rights Commission claimed "hired goons" allegedly "sent by the state to silence dissent" stormed the NGO's office and "violently" disrupted a press conference by Kenyan mothers "calling for an end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings targeting protesters ahead of Saba Saba demonstrations." Ex-Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga canceled a scheduled appearance in Nairobi, saying "the roadblocks all over town which made it difficult for people to make it to Kamukunji" meant he did not "join Kenyans in commemorating this important day." Odinga was arrested last year after Saba Saba but then threw his support to Ruto's government. Ruto was declared the winner with just over 50% of the vote versus Odinga's 48.8% in the African nation's August 2022 presidential election in which the opposition party leader suggested was not a free or fair vote. On Monday, he blasted what he described as Kenya's "rogue police force that shoots people with impunity, a force inherited from the colonialists," and called for a national dialogue on reforming Kenyan police agencies.
BBC News
07-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Two die for Kenya as protesters close down central Nairobi
Two pipo don die of gunshot wounds afta police open fire during protests for Kenya, di latest in di wave of anti-government rallies wey start last year. Dr Aron Sikuku, one medic for Eagle Nursing Home for Kangemi on di outskirts of Nairobi, tell di BBC say dem don carry di two bodies to di facility and e die from gunshot wounds. E tok say hundreds of protesters don gada outside di hospital as dem dey demand to take away di bodies. As of now, no official confirmation of di deaths. Di demonstrations mark di 35th anniversary of di historic Saba Saba (7 July 1990) protests wey launch Kenya push for multiparty democracy. From early morning, security forces don block all major roads into central Nairobi ahead of di protests. No body dey di city centre, as businesses shut down and heavy police presence dey on di streets. Fights bin break out in oda places for Nairobi, as demonstrators light fires and attempt to attack police officers. Officers respond wit tear gas and water cannon. Di police fire tear gas to scata pipo on Thika Road, as well as in Kitengela, one town on di outskirts of di capital. For Kamukunji, near di venue wia di original Saba Saba protests hold, police battle groups of protesters wey light fires on di streets. Di rest of di kontri dey quiet, although dem report some clashes. Earlier, hundreds of early-morning commuters and overnight travellers dey stranded at checkpoints, some more dan 10km (six miles) from di city centre, na only few vehicles dem allow make e pass. Within di city, roads wey dey lead to key goment sites - including di president official residence, State House, and di Kenyan parliament - dem barricade am wit razor wire. Some schools advise students make dem stay at home. By mid-morning on Monday, hundreds of overnight passengers remain stranded outside di city centre, as major roads still dey closed. Dem park some long-distance buses in Kabete, about 13km from di city centre, wit many passengers wey no fit afford to pay extra money for motorcycle rides to dia destinations as dem remain dia. Humphrey Gumbishi, one bus driver, tok say im start im journey on Sunday evening dem im discover say police don block road in di morning. "We begin travel around 8:30pm last night... We want di goment make dem tok to di Gen Zs so all dis fit come to an end," e tell di BBC Inside one statement wey police issue on Sunday evening, di police tok say dia constitutional duty na to protect lives and property while maintaining public order. Monday demonstrations wey Gen-Z young pipo organize, dey demand for good governance, greater accountability, and justice for victims of police brutality, continuing di wave of anti-government protests since last year. On 25 June, at least 19 pipo die and dem loot thousands of businesses and destroy houses for one nationwide protests wey hold in honour of pipo wey die in last year anti-tax protests. Recent demonstrations don turn violent, wit reports of infiltration by "goons", wey dem dey accuse of looting and attacking protesters. Civil society groups don allege say di fight betwin dis groups and di police - accusations say di police don strongly denied. On Sunday, one armed gang attack di headquarters of one human rights NGO in Nairobi. Di Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) don dey host press conference organise by women wey dey call for an end to state violence ahead of Monday protests. Di KHRC tok-tok pesin, Ernest Cornel, tok say di gang make up for at least 25 pipo wey dey shout ontop motorbikes: "Protest no go dey today". "Dem carry stones, dem carry clubs… laptops, phone and oda valuable wey dem steal from protesters and journalists wey dey dia" e tell di BBC Newsday programme. Di original Saba Saba protests na key moment wey start multiparty system in Kenya democracy afta years of one-party rule. Di response by di then goment under President Daniel arap Moi dey brutal. Dem arrest many protesters, while at least 20 pipo die. Since den, Saba Saba don symbolise as civic resistance and di fight for democratic freedom for Kenya.
