Violent clashes, fatalities mark nationwide protests

Protests erupted across Kenya yesterday as citizens expressed their discontent with the Finance Bill and President William Ruto’s governance, resulting in numerous injuries and arrests.

By evening, Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) had admitted 25 patients who had been injured in various parts of Nairobi during the demonstrations.

Tragically, two fatalities were reported amid the unrest. In Mombasa, a licensed firearm holder shot dead a protester while defending his business from looters. In Rongo town, Migori county, police officers fatally shot another protester. The incidents have intensified the nationwide outcry.

Despite Ruto’s recent announcement rejecting the Finance Bill 2024, Kenyans have continued to escalate their protests, demanding a more robust clampdown on corruption and an end to wasteful government expenditure.

Running battles

In Nairobi, the situation was particularly volatile. Protesters engaged the police in running battles as police used teargas to disperse them along major roads and blocking them from accessing the Central Business District (CBD).

A team of undercover officers operating in unmarked vehicles could be seen arresting some of the demonstrators and whisking them away to unknown destinations.

The protesters had planned to visit the offices of the Independent Oversight Policing Authority (IPOA) to voice their concerns over the killings of more than 20 people by the police during the demonstrations, especially last week’s Occupy Parliament.

President William Ruto has however defended the police over the use of excessive force, saying that their actions were justified to protect lives and property.

Some of the protesters, waving Kenyan flags, brought along coffins and photos of some Kenyans killed during the demonstrations.
They have also vowed that the protests will continue tomorrow until the President resigns or changes his leadership style.

New Saba Saba vigil

The Gen Zs have also announced a 7-day journey to New Saba Saba national vigil for those who died in the demos. They have also vowed to disclose the names of individuals in government who have been involved in corruption cases before and after their appointments to public offices.

The youth also rejected Ruto’s invitation to engage with them to address the concerns they have been raising, especially on the contentious Bill.

“They have stepped forward peacefully and without tribalism, and I want to tell them that we are going to engage them. We are going to have a conversation so that together we can build a greater nation. I want to assure them that we are concerned about their issues,” President Ruto said in an earlier address to the nation.

In Mombasa, chaos erupted as violent gangs hijacked peaceful protests, leaving at least one person dead, several others wounded, and vehicles torched.

The thugs, blending in with the protesters, were in a looting spree, vandalising property in the CBD, with some breaking into businesses and robbing people indiscriminately.

“Today’s protests were fueled by the president’s roundtable. We listened to the interview and saw how ignorant the president is. He is not even connected to his people, he only cares about properties. He was asked about the boy who was shot, Kennedy Onyango Ouma, but he is not even aware of him. The boy was shot eight times and the president is not aware. We thought he was someone we could dialogue with, but his insensitivity makes that impossible,” explained one of the protesters.