Thousands took to the streets across Kenya on Wednesday to protest against government corruption and police brutality, with clashes resulting in fatalities and injuries.
Renewed Unrest: Antigovernment Protests Erupt in Kenya
Renewed Unrest: Antigovernment Protests Erupt in Kenya
Protests against police brutality and corruption in Kenya escalate, marking the anniversary of last year’s deadly demonstrations.
Protests erupted across multiple cities in Kenya on Wednesday, marking a year since deadly demonstrations against government corruption and police violence. The unrest was particularly intense in the capital, Nairobi, where thousands marched expressing dissatisfaction with President William Ruto's leadership.
Security forces responded with live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber bullets, resulting in at least eight reported deaths and hundreds more injured. The demonstrations commemorated the first anniversary of large-scale protests that claimed 60 lives and saw numerous citizens abducted by police last year.
While the scale of this year’s protests remains uncertain compared to the previous crisis, political analysts note that ongoing public pressure may lead to changes in government strategy.
In Nairobi and other cities, businesses shuttered as protestors brandished Kenyan flags. The police fortified key government buildings, including the president's office and Parliament, with razor wire and barricades, recalling last year when demonstrators briefly set fire to legislative entrances during prior protests. The mounting unrest reflects deep-rooted frustrations with the authorities, suggesting that the discontent among the populace is far from subsiding.
