Latest news with #KenyaProtests
Reuters
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Reuters
Kenya's Ruto faces tough task taming protests and winning over Gen Z
NAIROBI, July 9 (Reuters) - Protesters braving police batons, water cannon and occasional bullets on Kenya's streets this week have taken up a rallying cry that is likely to unnerve its embattled president, William Ruto: "Ruto wantam", or Ruto one-term. Ruto won power almost three years ago vowing to protect the poor and end police violence, but he is facing mounting public dissatisfaction over high living costs, corruption and police brutality that could yet seal his fate as a "wantam" leader. As the faint drum beat of the 2027 election grows louder, analysts say, his administration will need not only to deliver on its economic promises but also adopt a more conciliatory tone to win over a younger, better-educated population. "Persistent economic hardship and widespread allegations of police violence pose serious challenges to any ambitions he may have for securing re-election in 2027," said Mucahid Durmaz, Senior Africa Analyst at risk intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft. A government-funded rights group said 31 people were killed nationwide in the latest anti-government protests on Monday, held to mark the 35th anniversary of pro-democracy rallies. Police fired to disperse the demonstrators after also using tear gas and water cannon. "We can't feed our families, so we have to be on the street to stop the increasing prices, to stop the (police) abductions, and to stand up for our country," said Festus Muiruri, a 22-year-old protester in the capital Nairobi. "We want the president to hear us." But Ruto's government has been consistently slow to respond to public discontent. Last year, he only abandoned proposed tax hikes after protesters overran parliament in unprecedented scenes flashed across TV screens around the world. His interior minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, branded last month's protests as a "coup attempt" by what he called "criminal anarchists". Unlike his predecessors, Ruto faces a generation of uncompromising young Kenyans desperate for economic opportunities, who can mobilise amorphously through social media, bypassing opposition parties and leaders. The so-called "Gen Z" protesters, the product of free schooling introduced two decades ago, have no recollection of authoritarian rule. Many were not yet born when Kenya introduced multi-party elections in 1992. With up to 800,000 young people entering the job market each year, Gen Z are more educated than their elders, but also more likely to be unemployed, according to a report by Afrobarometer, a pollster. "They have no memory of the rough times," said Macharia Munene, a professor of history and international relations at the United States International University (USIU) in Nairobi. "They've learned how to ask questions." Discontent with the government found a lightning rod last month with the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. On June 25 some 19 people lost their lives in demonstrations over Ojwang's death. The administration's hardline response to protesters has rattled investors in East Africa's largest economy. Business expectations fell to their second-lowest level on record in May, according to a survey by Stanbic Bank Kenya. "Repeated protests and shutdowns will continue to erode investor confidence and disrupt economic activity, especially if the government continues to prioritise force over dialogue," said Jervin Naidoo from Oxford Economics. Despite the swelling disillusionment, Kenyans are left with few options for now. Ruto's large parliamentary majority ensures he won't be unseated prematurely. He also faces a weak and fractured opposition which is yet to find a standard bearer for the next election. Following last year's protests, Ruto brought former Prime Minister Raila Odinga into his government, neutralising his main threat. He has two more years to turn things around, or use his incumbency to help ensure a second term. Ruto will hope that his increased social spending and programmes aimed at tackling youth unemployment, combined with positive economic prospects and a decline in inflation, will bolster his appeal, according to Control Risks. However, that may not be enough to avoid "wantam", said Javas Bigambo, a political commentator. "The government is perceived to be blind, deaf and dumb by the young people. This perception needs to be managed. Dealing with the protesters with this condescending attitude will only worsen Ruto's re-election prospects," he said. "It is urgent that measures are taken to bridge the divide."
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.
Al Jazeera
07-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Police open fire, several killed in Kenya anti-government protests
Police open fire, several killed in Kenya anti-government protests NewsFeed Anti-government protests in Kenya again turned deadly with police opening fire and several people killed, as nationwide rallies marked the 35th anniversary of the pro-democracy uprising known as 'Saba Saba.' Video Duration 01 minutes 28 seconds 01:28 Video Duration 02 minutes 27 seconds 02:27 Video Duration 02 minutes 19 seconds 02:19 Video Duration 01 minutes 36 seconds 01:36 Video Duration 02 minutes 50 seconds 02:50 Video Duration 01 minutes 01 seconds 01:01 Video Duration 01 minutes 12 seconds 01:12
France 24
06-07-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Africa Fashion Up 2025: Hawi Sisay Midekssa shares her creativity and expertese
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Al Jazeera
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
The Take: Will police brutality end in Kenya as protests reignite?
A year after a deadly crackdown, Kenya's streets are alive with protests again, this time after a blogger died in police custody and officers shot a demonstrator at close range. As outrage grows, so do calls for accountability. Why does police brutality persist in Kenya, and how do officers continue to evade justice? In this episode: Irungu Houghton (@irunguhoughton) – Executive Director, Amnesty International Kenya Episode credits: This episode was produced by Chloe K Li, Sonia Bhagat, Amy Walters, Marcos Bartolomé, and Haleema Shah, with Phillip Lanos, Spencer Cline, Melanie Marich, Kisaa Zehra, Remas AlHawari, Marya Khan, and our host, Manuel Rapalo. It was edited by Kylene Kiang and Sarí el-Khalili. Our sound designer is Alex Roldan. Our video editors are Hisham Abu Salah and Mohannad al-Melhem. Alexandra Locke is The Take's executive producer. Ney Alvarez is Al Jazeera's head of audio. Connect with us: @AJEPodcasts on Instagram, X, Facebook, Threads and YouTube
