Kenya’s police have indefinitely banned protests in central Nairobi (claiming alleged) infiltration of organized crime gangs into the demonstrations. Activists had planned to gather at Uhuru Park on Thursday but encountered a heavy police presence. Protests began a month ago against tax hikes, resulting in at least 50 deaths.
Protesters are demanding President Ruto’s resignation and reforms to tackle corruption and poor governance. “We have intelligence that criminal groups plan to use the protests for attacks and looting,” said police chief Douglas Kanja Kiricho on Wednesday. “No demonstrations will be allowed in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings to ensure public safety.”
The protests, organized online without support from opposition politicians, represent the biggest crisis of Ruto’s two-year rule. Ruto offered to form a broad-based government, but the opposition rejected this, calling for a constitutional convention instead.
What began as peaceful rallies often turned violent. On June 25, some protesters stormed parliament, and police opened fire. Ruto’s office planned talks to address grievances, but by Thursday, there was no sign of them starting. Protest leaders demand immediate action on corruption.
“The police and President Ruto cannot suspend constitutional rights,” activist Boniface Mwangi wrote on social media platform X.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) warned the media against inciting violence in their coverage. “Some outlets have compromised objectivity and balance in reporting crime and crisis situations,” said CA chief David Mugonyi in a July 17 letter.
Nairobi remains tense, with citizens waiting to see if the protest ban will restore order or fuel more dissent. Ref: wire/agency/X/USAfrica
