Kenya’s police have banned demonstrations in the heart of Nairobi following weeks of anti-government protests. They stated that organized criminal gangs have infiltrated the protests. These demonstrations, sparked by proposed tax hikes, have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 people. Despite President William Ruto withdrawing the legislation and dismissing nearly his entire cabinet, the protests continue.
Activists are demanding President Ruto’s resignation and systemic changes to address corruption and poor governance. “We have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks, including looting,” said Douglas Kanja Kiricho, the chief of police, in a statement released late on Wednesday. “No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety.”
The protests began peacefully but turned violent as they progressed. On June 25, some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament, prompting the police to open fire. The rallies, organized online without apparent support from opposition political figures, have created the biggest crisis of Ruto’s two years in power.
Ruto’s office announced plans for “multi-sectoral” talks this week to address the protesters’ grievances. However, by Thursday, there was no sign these talks had started. Most protest leaders have rejected the invitation, demanding immediate action on issues such as corruption. Some activists have called for people to gather with camping gear at Uhuru Park, a recreational area near Nairobi city center. On Thursday morning, there was a heavy police presence in the city, according to a Reuters reporter. Activist Boniface Mwangi wrote on social media platform X in response to the protest ban, “(The police and President Ruto) have no power to suspend rights guaranteed by the constitution.”
The situation remains tense, with activists and the general public pushing for significant changes. The Kenyan government, on the other hand, is struggling with how to restore order without worsening the situation further. The demonstrations, initially a response to proposed tax hikes, have evolved into a broader movement against the Ruto administration. Activists accuse the government of failing to address corruption and poor governance. The protests have drawn widespread support from youth and other segments of the population frustrated with the status quo.
President Ruto’s decision to withdraw the proposed tax hikes and dismiss most of his cabinet has not quelled the unrest. Instead, it appears to have emboldened the protesters, who see these moves as insufficient. They demand deeper reforms and greater accountability from their leaders. The police have been criticized for their heavy-handed response to the protests. Reports of police violence and the use of live ammunition against demonstrators have raised concerns among human rights groups. The ban on demonstrations in Nairobi’s central business district is seen by many as an attempt to suppress protest rather than address the underlying issues.
Activists continue to organize and mobilize despite the ban. Social media platforms have become a crucial tool for coordination and communication. Calls for protests and other forms of civil disobedience circulate widely online, making it difficult for authorities to suppress the movement entirely.
The ban on demonstrations in Nairobi is a temporary measure, but it does not address the root causes of the unrest. Lasting peace and stability will only come through addressing the underlying issues of corruption, governance, and economic inequality.
