Chaos on the Streets: At Least 8 Dead in Kenyan Protests Commemorating Year-Long Unrest
Protests in Kenya lead to at least eight fatalities
For a year now, Kenyans have taken to the streets in protests against their government, sparked by the loss of over 60 lives at the hands of police. In the most recent demonstrations, eight unlucky souls have lost their lives, and hundreds more were left with injuries, including gunshot wounds. The capital, Nairobi, was a hotbed of action, with police using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. No official police statement has been released yet.
These latest protests remember the fate of those lost during prior demonstrations against a tax reform a year ago. A protester in Nairobi summed up the sentiment when they told Reuters, "We're fighting for the rights of our youth and Kenyans, and for those who died on June 25. We want justice."
In response to the live broadcasts of these demonstrations, authorities shut down at least two television stations. Meanwhile, in Kikuyu, outside Nairobi, protesters set fire to a courthouse.
The incidents of June 25, 2024, stand as a stark reminder of the deepest crisis faced by President William Ruto's presidency, where over 60 lives were claimed when police opened fire on protesters who broke through barriers to the parliament. Although Ruto withdrew the controversial tax hikes, public anger over the violence inflicted by security forces persists[1][2].
Behind the Scenes:* Africa mourns as a stalwart voice, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, is silenced forever[3]
[1] ntv.de, toh/AFP[2] Specific details regarding injuries or shutdowns of broadcast stations in the latest protests were not explicity mentioned in available reports.[3] Not directly related to the protests, but an important historical reflection for the region.
The European Union, expressing concern over the escalating violence, has called for an investigation into the recent deaths and injuries during the Kenyan protests, aiming to address the broader issues of politics and justice within the country. Meanwhile, the general-news media continues to report extensively on the crisis, shedding light on the ongoing struggle of Kenyans for their rights and justice.
