Protesters demonstrated in the center of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, on Thursday, demanding the resignation of the president. William RutoThis comes weeks after they were able to secure major concessions, including the dismissal of the government and the withdrawal of a new tax law.
Shops were closed and streets were deserted as riot police set up roadblocks. Reuters reported that police fired tear gas at a few protesters chanting “Ruto must go”.
On the X platform, the African Journalists Association reported that 3 journalists were injured when police fired tear gas bombs near them.
Police have asked people to avoid crowded areas ahead of Thursday's protests, and said they have deployed enough officers across the country to maintain security.
Ruto had bowed to popular pressure in recent days, and withdrew the tax law – which angered young people – after protesters stormed the parliament building last June.
It is noteworthy that the youth protests began peacefully last June, but later took a violent path, as more than 50 people were killed in clashes with the police.
Last month, Ruto fired the attorney general and all ministers, in what was seen at the time as a victory for activists demanding radical changes.
corrupt political deal
Ruto has included opposition figures in the new government, but activists have called the move a corrupt deal and called for the president himself to step down.
Activists called for wide-ranging reforms to address corruption, and urged local governments to improve services.
Ruto said the new government, which was sworn in last week, embodies national unity and can respond to the demands of the protest movement.
The Kenyan president has pledged to investigate allegations of police assaults on protesters, but he has also defended their handling of the protests.
It is noteworthy that there is no official leadership for the protests, and they are often mobilized via social media.
Ruto has stepped up his criticism of the protesters after previously praising them and describing the demonstrations as peaceful, saying on Wednesday: “We are proud to be a democratic country, firmly based on the rule of law. There is no room for chaos and violence.”