Chaos in Nairobi: Unrest Over Government Policies Leaves Two Dead, Hundreds Injured
Protests Lead to Tragic Losses: Two Lives Claimed Amid Antigovernment Demonstrations in Kenya - Demonstrators opposing the government leave a trail of violence in Kenya, resulting in two fatalities
Kickin' it in Nairobi and beyond, thousands took to the streets on Wednesday in a bit of nostalgia for last year's mass protests—where over 60 souls met their end. But this time was different; instead of remembering the departed, demonstrators were demanding the resignation of President William Ruto.
What started as a peaceful tribute to the past soon turned into a wild rodeo. AFP reporters on the scene told of intense clashes between protesters and the police force in the heart of Nairobi. Rocks were hurled at officers, who then responded with tear gas, rubber bullets, and even live ammo in some areas.
It's said that the police barricaded roads leading to Nairobi city center and encircled government buildings with some snazzy barbed wire. Protests were reported from cities all across the country. NetBlocks spotted that the messaging app Telegram was under some restrictions state-wide.
Things took a bit of a turn for the worse when at least 300 people were left injured, a rescue official informed AFP. Around 67 of the wounded were left in critical condition, and whisked off to the National Kenyatta Hospital, he added.
AM Radio and TV stations got an order to halt their live broadcasts of the protests, with the Kenyan Communications Authority pointing to constitution violations as the reason. However, most of the media seemed pretty nonchalant about the ban, carrying on with live reporting anyways. Amnesty International expressed concern over the move, stating that squashing free speech is no way to solve problems.
These latest protests were instigated by Kenya's dodgy economic state and hefty tax plans, which sparked dozens of deaths and a fair share of arrests last year. Now, grumbling within the nation against Ruto has escalated since he stepped into office in 2022, as the grand promises of swift economic progress fall short.
NairobiPoliceKenyaWilliam RutoMass protestAFP
Sources:
- Human Rights Watch
- Al Jazeera
- The Economist Intelligence Unit
In the midst of the intensifying mass protests in Nairobi, Kenya, it was reported that the police force, led by President William Ruto, clashed violently with demonstrators, leaving two dead and hundreds injured according to AFP.
As the popular discontent against the government continues, the ongoing mass protest in Kenya's capital city has been covered extensively by news agencies like AFP, propagating under the categories of politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice.
