Latest news with #SabaSabaPeople'sMarch
Straits Times
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Kenya's president orders police to shoot violent protesters in the leg
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Protesters take part in the \"Saba Saba People's March\" anti-government protest, in Kangemi area of Nairobi, Kenya July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi/File Photo NAIROBI - Kenya's President William Ruto said on Wednesday that police should shoot protesters who vandalise businesses in the leg to incapacitate them, two days after 31 people were killed during nationwide anti-government demonstrations. On Monday, police blocked off large parts of the capital Nairobi, and used tear gas, water cannon and fired at crowds to disperse them. Some supermarkets, businesses and hospitals were looted, damaged or torched. "Anyone who goes to burn other people's property, someone like that should be shot in the leg, and go to the hospital on his way to court," Ruto said in a speech. "They shouldn't kill the person but they should hit the legs to break them." The death of a political blogger in police custody brought hundreds of Kenyans onto the streets last month - reigniting a protest movement fuelled by anger over the cost of living and what they say is police brutality and corruption, a year after protesters opposing proposed tax hikes stormed parliament. The rallying cry among the protesters, mostly young adults desperate for job opportunities and organised through social media channels, is that Ruto will be a one-term leader. He won power almost three years ago as a champion of the poor who promised to end extrajudicial killings, but his government has responded to mounting public dissatisfaction with defiance. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. World Tremendous opportunities for growth in US-Singapore ties, says Trump's ambassador nominee Sinha Singapore Singapore to hire more than 1,000 new educators annually in the next few years, up from 700 Singapore COE prices rise for all categories Singapore Govt watching job situation for fresh graduates closely, exploring further support: Gan Siow Huang Singapore Man who killed cats by throwing them off HDB blocks has jail term doubled to 27 months Singapore $43k fine for undischarged bankrupt doctor who failed to disclose assets worth over $4m Singapore Female primary school teacher charged over alleged sex acts with underage male student Singapore People working in air-conditioned spaces prefer 24 deg C and warmer: Survey His interior minister, Kipchumba Murkomen, branded last month's protests as a "coup attempt" by what he called "criminal anarchists". The government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said criminal gangs wielding whips and machetes appeared to be operating alongside police in Nairobi and the Rift Valley town of Eldoret during the protests on Monday. Police have not commented on the commission's observations, but have previously said they do not work with "goons". "Those who attack Kenyans, police officers, security installations and businesses are terrorists. Such criminal acts are a declaration of war," Ruto posted later on Wednesday on X. "We will not allow our country to be destroyed by retrogressive elements that are seeking shortcuts to rise to power." REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Hospitals in Kenya capital, nearby town vandalised during protests
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Mortuary staff receive the slain body of Brian Kimutai Bitok, 21, who was shot and killed during anti-government protests, dubbed \"Saba Saba People's March\", at the Kitengela Sub-County Hospital mortuary in Kitengela, Kajiado County, Kenya July 8, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya NAIROBI - At least two hospitals in Kenya sustained damage during protests to mark the 35th anniversary of pro-democracy rallies, witnesses and hospital officials said on Tuesday, a day after the demonstrations left 11 people dead, according to the police. Tensions have been running high in the East African nation since the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month brought people back onto the streets, a year after anti-government protesters stormed parliament. In the first incident in the town of Kitengela, 34 km south of Nairobi, more than 100 unidentified attackers armed with clubs forced their way into a hospital to demand treatment for their colleagues, a nurse said. "We had patients even in the emergency and consultation room. Some had been sent to the lab. We closed the maternity with a door grille because they wanted to go in," Lilian Nyakhurenya told Reuters. "The maternity was full and it is always full. We were many in the shift and we ran away, and some of us had to wear the patient's uniforms." Saningo Tatio, a clinical dermatologist, said the armed men "started damaging all the facilities" at the hospital, forcing health workers to take cover. "The police came but the goons were so many," Tatio said, adding that the attackers also started a fire near the laboratory. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore NDP celebrations to be held at 5 heartland sites, including Bishan and Punggol, on Aug 10 Singapore Keep citizens at the centre of public service, Chan Chun Sing tells civil servants Singapore SIA flight from Brisbane to Singapore diverted to Perth due to technical issue Singapore New Draft Master Plan could reignite developers' interest to buy land Asia Seoul scorches at 37.8 deg C, highest early-July temperature ever recorded Business Great Eastern could resume trading after delisting vote fails to pass; OCBC's exit offer lapses Asia China warns Trump on tariffs, threatens retaliation on supply chain deals Multimedia 'I suspect he's cheating': She finds proof when spouses stray In a second incident, another group of unidentified attackers forced their way into a hospital in Nairobi, stealing equipment. Jeff Ngami, branch manager at Bristol Hospital situated in the Embakasi neighbourhood, told Reuters that armed men stormed the premises on Monday evening and stole equipment worth over 800,000 Kenyan shillings ($6,200). "They harassed our staff at the hospital while they were ransacking the hospital. Some of my staff were harassed, injured and traumatised." "They also stole staff's mobile phones, optical frames and other items," he said, adding that he had reported the matter to the police. Spokespeople for Kenyan police and the government did not respond to requests for comment. The head of a union for health workers told reporters that officials had previously asked the government to provide them with security but their requests had gone unanswered. "Yesterday now brought to the fore how the government has abandoned (the) security of the health worker," said Peterson Wachira, national chairman of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers. "We are putting the government on notice that all health facilities and especially those in the hotspots must be provided with armed security from the Kenya police." REUTERS
The Star
2 days ago
- The Star
Hospitals in Kenya capital, nearby town vandalised during protests
FILE PHOTO: Riot police officers gather to disperse demonstrators during anti-government protests dubbed "Saba Saba People's March", in the Rift Valley town of Nakuru, Kenya July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Suleiman Mbatiah/File Photo NAIROBI (Reuters) -At least two hospitals in Kenya sustained damage during protests to mark the 35th anniversary of pro-democracy rallies, witnesses and hospital officials said on Tuesday, a day after the demonstrations left 11 people dead, according to the police. Tensions have been running high in the East African nation since the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month brought people back onto the streets, a year after anti-government protesters stormed parliament. In the first incident in the town of Kitengela, 34 km south of Nairobi, more than 100 unidentified attackers armed with clubs forced their way into a hospital to demand treatment for their colleagues, a nurse said. "We had patients even in the emergency and consultation room. Some had been sent to the lab. We closed the maternity with a door grille because they wanted to go in," Lilian Nyakhurenya told Reuters. "The maternity was full and it is always full. We were many in the shift and we ran away, and some of us had to wear the patient's uniforms." Saningo Tatio, a clinical dermatologist, said the armed men "started damaging all the facilities" at the hospital, forcing health workers to take cover. "The police came but the goons were so many," Tatio said, adding that the attackers also started a fire near the laboratory. In a second incident, another group of unidentified attackers forced their way into a hospital in Nairobi, stealing equipment. Jeff Ngami, branch manager at Bristol Hospital situated in the Embakasi neighbourhood, told Reuters that armed men stormed the premises on Monday evening and stole equipment worth over 800,000 Kenyan shillings ($6,200). "They harassed our staff at the hospital while they were ransacking the hospital. Some of my staff were harassed, injured and traumatised." "They also stole staff's mobile phones, optical frames and other items," he said, adding that he had reported the matter to the police. Spokespeople for Kenyan police and the government did not respond to requests for comment. The head of a union for health workers told reporters that officials had previously asked the government to provide them with security but their requests had gone unanswered. "Yesterday now brought to the fore how the government has abandoned (the) security of the health worker," said Peterson Wachira, national chairman of the Kenya Union of Clinical Officers. "We are putting the government on notice that all health facilities and especially those in the hotspots must be provided with armed security from the Kenya police." (Additional reporting by Thomas Mukoya and Edwin Okoth; Writing by George Obulutsa and Ammu KannampillyEditing by Gareth Jones)
Deccan Herald
2 days ago
- Climate
- Deccan Herald
July 8, 2025: Best photos from around the world
A drone view shows flooded houses, following torrential rains that unleashed flash floods along the Concho River in San Angelo, Texas, U.S., July 4, 2025, in this screen grab obtained from a social media video. Credit: Reuters Photo A demonstrator lies on the road, watching clashes with police as a fire burns, at the "Saba Saba People's March" anti-government protest in Nairobi, Kenya July 7, 2025. Credit: Reuters Photo An internally displaced Somali child waits for vaccination, at the Tawakal 2 camp in Baidoa, southwest Somalia Credit: Reuters Photo
Japan Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Japan Today
Ten dead and dozens injured in Kenya anti-government protests
A demonstrator lies on the road, watching clashes with police as a fire burns, at the "Saba Saba People's March" anti-government protest in Nairobi, Kenya July 7, 2025. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY By Humphrey Malalo Kenyan police fired to disperse demonstrators in Nairobi marking the 35th anniversary of pro-democracy rallies on Monday, as Kenya's rights watchdog reported 10 dead and 29 injured nationwide in the latest anti-government protests to end in bloodshed. The death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month has given the protests fresh impetus, fuelling anger against the authorities and bringing hundreds onto the streets. A Reuters reporter saw police fire at advancing protesters in the Nairobi suburb of Kangemi, with one man later lying motionless on the road with a bleeding wound. The suburb's Eagle Nursing Home said six people had been admitted with injuries, and that two had died from gunshot wounds. A source at Kenyatta National Hospital said it was treating 24 injured people, but did not elaborate on their injuries. The government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it had documented 10 dead and 29 injured. It did not provide a breakdown of the figures, recorded across 17 of Kenya's 47 counties. Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Law enforcers have been deploying heavily in Nairobi since youth-led protests in June 2024 that initially focused on tax hikes but expanded to cover issues such as corruption, police brutality and unexplained disappearances of government critics. Police used tear gas and water cannon on Monday to disperse hundreds of demonstrators advancing along a road connecting Kangemi to downtown Nairobi. Hours later, protesters and police scuffled, and a Reuters reporter saw police opening fire as the crowd charged at them. The Commission on Human Rights said it saw "numerous hooded officers, not in uniform, travelling in unmarked vehicles". A court order requires police to be easily identifiable following allegations that plain clothes police fired live rounds at demonstrators last year. The Commission also said criminal gangs wielding whips and machetes appeared to be operating alongside police in Nairobi and the Rift Valley town of Eldoret. Local media said there had also been demonstrations in the towns of Nyeri, Embu and the lakeside city of Nakuru, where half a dozen police on horseback dispersed stone-throwing protesters. Police had blocked major roads leading into Nairobi and restricted traffic within the city, leaving streets deserted but for the demonstrators, who arrived on foot. Most schools and at least one shopping mall were shut in anticipation of trouble. Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who last month described the protests as "terrorism disguised as dissent", said on Sunday that the government was committed to protecting life and property. "Our security agencies are 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," he said. Activists rally every July 7 to mark the day in 1990 when opponents of then-president Daniel Arap Moi launched a bid to turn Kenya into a multi-party democracy. The protest is called "Saba Saba" - "Seven Seven" in Kiswahili - because of the date. Those protests paved the way two years later for the first multi-party elections in more than two decades. The death of 31-year-old Ojwang, a blogger and teacher, has focused public anger, sparking a string of demonstrations last month. On June 25, according to the Commission, 19 people lost their lives nationwide in demonstrations to protest against Ojwang's death and mark the first anniversary of rallies that culminated in the storming of parliament. Six people including three police officers have been charged with murder over Ojwang's death. © Thomson Reuters 2025.
