Kenyan Police Use Tear Gas in Nairobi, But Few People Protest

Police in Kenya unleashed bursts of tear gas. Small numbers of protestors gathered on Thursday in the center of Nairobi, the country’s capital, for what was supposed to be a new day of action against beleaguered President William Ruto.

Roadblocks were erected on important thoroughfares, riot police guarded the CBD’s streets, and numerous businesses were closed, but just a few dozen protestors showed up, according to AFP journalists.

One of the most stable countries in the area, East Africa, has been shook by weeks of protests against Ruto’s two-year-old administration, which have been largely spearheaded by young Kenyans from Generation Z.

Ruto was presiding over the reorganized cabinet’s induction when, a short distance away in the central business area, police opened fire with tear gas and took numerous individuals into custody.

Other than that, though, it seemed as though most people were going about their daily lives in peace and quiet.

TV images from Mombasa, a city by the Indian Ocean, revealed that traffic was moving properly and that there were no signs of disturbance. Kisumu, a city by the western lake, was likewise said to be peaceful.

Gilbert Masengeli, the acting head of police in Kenya, issued a warning on Wednesday, stating that “criminals” were planning to infiltrate the protests. He also recommended people to exercise caution in congested areas and to avoid protected zones, which included Ruto’s official house and the main international airport.

What began as nonviolent protests led by young people against contentious tax increases have grown into larger movements against Ruto and what many see to be corrupt and wasteful government spending.

Rights organizations claim that since the demonstrations started in mid-June, at least 60 people have died and scores more have gone missing. The police are accused of employing excessive force, including firing live bullets.

“New chapter”

Even though the size of the gatherings has decreased recently, posters circulated online urged for new protests on Thursday, August 8, which is known as “Nane Nane” (or Eight Eight in Swahili).

Previously, organizers have claimed that “goons” have taken over their nonviolent protest plans and are inciting violence.

Ruto has reorganized his cabinet, eliminated tax increases, and made significant budget cuts in an effort to address the public’s ire amid the biggest crisis of his presidency.

“New chapter”

Even though the size of the gatherings has decreased recently, posters circulated online urged for new protests on Thursday, August 8, which is known as “Nane Nane” (or Eight Eight in Swahili).

Previously, organizers have claimed that “goons” have taken over their nonviolent protest plans and are inciting violence.

Ruto has reorganized his cabinet, eliminated tax increases, and made significant budget cuts in an effort to address the public’s ire amid the biggest crisis of his presidency.

The installation of a new “broad-based” cabinet on Thursday, he claimed, marked the beginning of a “new chapter” for Kenya’s development and government. The cabinet comprises some previously fired ministers in addition to four prominent members of the opposition.

After a fiercely contested and contentious election against longtime opposition leader Raila Odinga, Ruto assumed office in September 2022 and made a commitment to assist Kenya’s impoverished and oppressed citizens.

But he’s found himself sandwiched between the demands of foreign lenders to support government coffers so it can pay down its enormous $78 billion debt and the everyday struggles of Kenyans facing a crisis in their cost of living.

Although the central bank has forecast that the country’s GDP will expand by 5.4% this year, a third of the 52 million citizens still live in poverty.