Chaos on the Streets: Two Dead in Fiery Protests Against the Kenyan Government
Protests against the government result in two fatalities in Kenya
Haven't had a decent chat in a while, eh? Let's dive into some global chaos shall we? 😈
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Two protesters met their untimely end in a hail of gunfire during fiery demonstrations against the Kenyan government, according to hospital sources. "One was peppered with bullets, taking a direct hit to the abdomen, and bled out viciously," a hospital official from Matuu, mere miles from Nairobi's heart, spilled the beans on Wednesday. Another showed up at a different hospital, both bullets holes still smoldering, but met their end shortly after. Local media painted a gruesome picture of police opening fire on the protesters.
Initially peaceful marches to commemorate last year's violent uprising — where at least 60 guys lost their lives at the hands of security forces — turned into a bloodbath on Wednesday. A sea of mourners gather in the heart of Nairobi, including relatives of the fallen, screaming for the ousting of President William Ruto.
Reporters from AFP witnessed the explosion of violence firsthand, painted as a brutal tug-of-war between the demonstrators and the police. The protesters hurled rocks at the officers, who responded in kind with tear gas and rubber bullets. One police officer, along with a handful of protesters, found themselves in the hospital, nursing their wounds. Police sealed off roads leading to the city center of Nairobi and fortified government buildings with barbed wire. Reports of unrest surfaced from other Kenyan cities as well.
The Kenyan government ordered radio and television stations to pull the plug on their live coverage of the ruckus, with the Kenyan Communications Authority citing a violation of the country's constitution as the reason. Despite the ban, most Kenyan media continued to broadcast the madness unfolding on the streets. Human rights group Amnesty International voiced their disapproval of the decision, stating, "You can't stifle the press with a gag order, mate."
Last year's protests were fueled by the country's poor economic situation and proposed tax hikes, resulting in the deaths and arrests of dozens. Discontent towards Ruto, who climbed into the top seat in 2022 and vowed swift economic progress, remains rampant.
To add more fuel to the fire, recent weeks have seen riots erupt over specific allegations of police brutality. For one example, violent protests erupted following the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody. Demonstrators squared off against anti-riot police who retaliated with tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. The protesters demanded the resignation of Deputy Inspector-General Eliud Lagat and called for an independent investigation into Ojwang’s death. These protests included road blockages, bonfires, and targeted attacks on government symbols, reflecting deep-seated anger and calls for police accountability.
Reports have surfaced of police firing on unarmed bystanders during the protests, fanning the flames and raising human rights concerns. Human rights groups have raised the alarm about increasing police violence, and there are ongoing calls for reforms in Kenya's security agencies.
In short, the current situation highlights:
- Large-scale youth-led demonstrations calling for President William Ruto’s resignation on the anniversary of last year's deadly protests.
- Police actions, including roadblocking, fortification of government buildings with barricades and razor wire, and the use of tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets to manage the unrest.
- Flare-ups ignited by cases of police brutality, like the death of blogger Albert Ojwang in custody.
- Demands for justice, changes to police practices, and accountability for deaths during the protests.
- Continued fears of violence in Nairobi and other major towns amid heightened security presence.
The protests stand as a striking expression of dissatisfaction with the government's handling of economic issues and police conduct, with demonstrators keeping the pressure on through ongoing, coordinated actions.
Amidst the unfolding chaos in Nairobi, the turmoil spanning the streets calls for attention in various global platforms such as war-and-conflicts, politics, general-news, and crime-and-justice. In this context, the European Commission has also been asked to submit a proposal for a directive on the protection of workers from the risks related to exposure to ionizing radiation, reflecting broader concerns about the health and safety of citizens in times of unrest.
