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eNCA
6 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Armed gang attacks Kenya Human Rights Commission on eve of protests
NAIROBI - An armed gang attacked the headquarters of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission on Sunday as it hosted a press conference calling for an end to state violence, an AFP journalist saw. The attack came on the eve of "Saba Saba Day" when Kenyans mark pro-democracy protests from the 1990s, and renewed unrest is expected on Monday. The east African country is once again facing a wave of violent protests over economic stagnation, corruption and repeated acts of police brutality under President William Ruto. The Kenyan Human Rights Commission was hosting a press conference calling for "an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings" when it was attacked by 20 men, some armed with sticks. "The gate was locked but they forced themselves in. They were attacking and robbing guys, saying: 'You are planning protests here'," said an AFP journalist at the scene. "Armed goons have attacked offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission," the Women's Collective, which helped organise the meeting, posted on X. AFP | Luis TATO At least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests on 25 June. The government has been accused of deploying "goons" against protesters and political opponents. Hundreds of men on motorbikes armed with whips and clubs attacked a protest against police brutality in Nairobi on 17 June. AFP journalists at the scene said they were operating with the protection of police. - 'Kenya feels fragile' - Urbanisation, improved education and the spread of social media have fuelled anger over the stagnant economy and poor governance in a country where around 80 percent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs. "Kenya feels much more fragile than it would have four or even three years ago," said Declan Galvin, Kenya-based analyst with Exigent Risk Advisory. "We have a much larger, urban, mainly youth population, who do not rely on ethnicity and tribalism" as they did in the past, he told AFP. Politically, Ruto still holds a strong position, having forged an alliance with the main opposition leader Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027. But each violent crackdown is fuelling further unrest, said activist Nerima Wako. "Every time people organise a protest, they kill more people, so it just continues to feed off itself," she said. AFP | Luis TATO Saba Saba Day marks the uprising on 7 July, 1990 when Kenyans demanded a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi. Ruto cut his teeth as a youth organiser for Moi when those protests were violently suppressed. His government "seems to be trying to repeat the nineties, but we are not in the nineties," said Gabrielle Lynch, an African politics expert at Britain's University of Warwick. "They don't seem to have realised that the world is different. People are more politically aware, but also the communication environment has dramatically changed with the rise of social media," she added.
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First Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- First Post
Armed gang attacks Kenya Human Rights Commission amid anti-government protests
The Kenyan Human Rights Commission was holding a news conference demanding 'an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings' when it was attacked by 20 men, some armed with sticks read more An armed gang invaded the Kenyan Human Rights Commission's headquarters on Sunday when it was hosting a news conference calling for a stop to state violence, according to an AFP correspondent. The incident occurred on the eve of 'Saba Saba Day,' when Kenyans commemorate pro-democracy rallies from the 1990s, and further turmoil is predicted on Monday. The east African country is once again seeing a wave of violent protests over economic stagnation, corruption, and recurrent instances of police violence under President William Ruto. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Kenyan Human Rights Commission was holding a news conference demanding 'an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and extrajudicial killings' when it was attacked by 20 men, some armed with sticks. 'The gate was locked but they forced themselves in. They were attacking and robbing guys, saying: 'You are planning protests here',' said an AFP journalist at the scene. 'Armed goons have attacked offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission,' the Women's Collective, which helped organise the meeting, posted on X. At least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests on June 25. The government has been accused of deploying 'goons' against protesters and political opponents. Hundreds of men on motorbikes armed with whips and clubs attacked a protest against police brutality in Nairobi on June 17. AFP journalists at the scene said they were operating with the protection of police. 'Kenya feels fragile' Urbanisation, improved education and the spread of social media have fuelled anger over the stagnant economy and poor governance in a country where around 80 percent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs. 'Kenya feels much more fragile than it would have four or even three years ago,' said Declan Galvin, Kenya-based analyst with Exigent Risk Advisory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We have a much larger, urban, mainly youth population, who do not rely on ethnicity and tribalism' as they did in the past, he told AFP. Politically, Ruto still holds a strong position, having forged an alliance with the main opposition leader Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027. But each violent crackdown is fuelling further unrest, said activist Nerima Wako. 'Every time people organise a protest, they kill more people, so it just continues to feed off itself,' she said. Saba Saba Day marks the uprising on July 7, 1990 when Kenyans demanded a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi. Ruto cut his teeth as a youth organiser for Moi when those protests were violently suppressed. His government 'seems to be trying to repeat the nineties, but we are not in the nineties,' said Gabrielle Lynch, an African politics expert at Britain's University of Warwick. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'They don't seem to have realised that the world is different. People are more politically aware, but also the communication environment has dramatically changed with the rise of social media,' she added. 'People don't have the same in-built fear of the state.'
Int'l Business Times
6 days ago
- Politics
- Int'l Business Times
Armed Gang Attacks Kenya Human Rights Commission On Eve Of Protests
An armed gang attacked the headquarters of the Kenyan Human Rights Commission on Sunday as it hosted a press conference calling for an end to state violence, an AFP journalist saw. The attack came on the eve of "Saba Saba Day" when Kenyans mark pro-democracy protests from the 1990s, and renewed unrest is expected on Monday. The east African country is once again facing a wave of violent protests over economic stagnation, corruption and repeated acts of police brutality under President William Ruto. The Kenyan Human Rights Commission was hosting a press conference calling for "an immediate end to arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances and extrajudicial killings" when it was attacked by 20 men, some armed with sticks. "The gate was locked but they forced themselves in. They were attacking and robbing guys, saying: 'You are planning protests here'," said an AFP journalist at the scene. "Armed goons have attacked offices of the Kenya Human Rights Commission," the Women's Collective, which helped organise the meeting, posted on X. At least 19 people were killed and thousands of businesses looted and destroyed in a day of nationwide protests on June 25. The government has been accused of deploying "goons" against protesters and political opponents. Hundreds of men on motorbikes armed with whips and clubs attacked a protest against police brutality in Nairobi on June 17. AFP journalists at the scene said they were operating with the protection of police. Urbanisation, improved education and the spread of social media have fuelled anger over the stagnant economy and poor governance in a country where around 80 percent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs. "Kenya feels much more fragile than it would have four or even three years ago," said Declan Galvin, Kenya-based analyst with Exigent Risk Advisory. "We have a much larger, urban, mainly youth population, who do not rely on ethnicity and tribalism" as they did in the past, he told AFP. Politically, Ruto still holds a strong position, having forged an alliance with the main opposition leader Raila Odinga, leaving no clear challenger ahead of the next vote in 2027. But each violent crackdown is fuelling further unrest, said activist Nerima Wako. "Every time people organise a protest, they kill more people, so it just continues to feed off itself," she said. Saba Saba Day marks the uprising on July 7, 1990 when Kenyans demanded a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi. Ruto cut his teeth as a youth organiser for Moi when those protests were violently suppressed. His government "seems to be trying to repeat the nineties, but we are not in the nineties," said Gabrielle Lynch, an African politics expert at Britain's University of Warwick. "They don't seem to have realised that the world is different. People are more politically aware, but also the communication environment has dramatically changed with the rise of social media," she added. "People don't have the same in-built fear of the state." At least 19 people died in protests on June 25 AFP Protesters have been calling for an end to police violence AFP
India Gazette
02-07-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
Assam CM, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari review key infra projects
New Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and discussed the status of progress of key infrastructure projects in the state. During the meeting held at the Union Minister's official residence, Chief Minister Sarma sought the support and cooperation of the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) to ensure the timely completion of ongoing infrastructure projects. The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister of MoRTH's support for time-bound implementation of the ongoing flagship NH projects in Assam, as 'these projects will significantly boost regional connectivity, enhance trade routes, and accelerate the pace of economic growth in the Northeast part of the country.' Later, taking to X, the Chief Minister wrote, 'In New Delhi today, I had a fruitful meeting with Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @nitin_gadkari. We reviewed the progress of Assam's flagship infra projects and sought @MORTHIndia's cooperation in their time bound completion. Minister has assured us of the Ministry's undivided focus on this matter.' Union Minister Gadkari also took to X and said, 'Reviewed the ongoing National Highway projects in Assam, with Assam Chief Minister @himantabiswa Ji and senior officials in Delhi today. These projects will significantly boost regional connectivity, enhance trade routes, and accelerate economic growth across the northeastern region of the country.' The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, KK Dwivedi and senior officials of MoRTH. Earlier, the Chief Minister met a team from ICICI Foundation and ICICI Bank at his official residence here and discussed ongoing CSR initiatives in Assam. The meeting focused on strengthening, expanding, and diversifying CSR efforts in collaboration with the Government of Assam, as well as expanding credit access for microborrowers. Moreover, Chairman of LifeCare Ltd., Jayesh Saini, called upon the Chief Minister at the latter's official residence and spoke at length about the company's foray into the booming health sector in Assam and its eagerness to bring the projects to fruition soon. It may be noted that LifeCare, a Kenya-based company, had inked an MoU during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit in Guwahati in February this year in the health sector. (ANI)
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Nitin Gadkari & Himanta Biswa Sarma review progress of key infrastructure projects in Assam
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and discussed the status of progress of key infrastructure projects in the State. During the course of the meeting that took place at Union Minister's official residence, Chief Minister Dr. Sarma sought the support and cooperation from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) for ensuring timely completion of the ongoing infrastructure projects. The Union Minister assured the Chief Minister of MoRTH's support for time-bound implementation of the ongoing flagship NH projects in Assam as 'these projects will significantly boost regional connectivity, enhance trade routes, and accelerate the pace of economic growth in the Northeast part of the country.' Later, taking to X (formerly Twitter) the Chief Minister wrote, "In New Delhi today, I had a fruitful meeting with Hon'ble Union Minister Shri @nitin_gadkari Ji. We reviewed the progress of Assam's flagship infra projects and sought @MORTHIndia's cooperation in their time bound Minister has assured us of the Ministry's undivided focus on this matter." Live Events Union Minister Gadkari also took to the micro blogging platform X: "Reviewed the ongoing National Highway projects in Assam, with Assam Chief Minister Shri @himantabiswa Ji and senior officials in Delhi today. These projects will significantly boost regional connectivity, enhance trade routes, and accelerate economic growth across the northeastern region of the country." The meeting was attended by Union Minister of State for External Affairs, Pabitra Margherita, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Dwivedi and senior officials of MoRTH. Earlier, the Chief Minister met a team from ICICI Foundation and ICICI Bank at his official residence here and discussed ongoing CSR initiatives in Assam. The meeting focused on strengthening, expanding and diversifying CSR efforts in collaboration with Government of Assam and expanding credit access for micro borrowers. Moreover, Chairman of LifeCare Ltd., Jayesh Saini called upon the Chief Minister at the latter's official residence and spoke at length about the company's foray into the booming health sector in Assam and its eagerness to bring the projects to fruition soon. It may be noted that LifeCare, a Kenya-based company, had inked an MoU during the Advantage Assam 2.0 Investment and Infrastructure Summit in Guwahati in February this year in the health sector. Economic Times WhatsApp channel )
