Kenya’s government urged citizens to halt ongoing protests on Thursday, while a court temporarily lifted a police ban on demonstrations in Nairobi’s central business district. The protests, sparked by proposed tax hikes, have been the most significant challenge to President William Ruto’s administration since he took office two years ago.
The police had introduced the ban, citing concerns over criminal gangs infiltrating the protests. These demonstrations have already claimed at least 50 lives in the past month. However, the High Court in Nairobi suspended the police ban, pending a hearing on a case brought by the public interest group Katiba Institute.
Despite the government’s appeals, activists encouraged people to gather at Uhuru Park in central Nairobi. The park, adjacent to the city’s bustling center, saw a heavy police presence. Protesters, largely youth-led, have been vocal about their demands for President Ruto’s resignation and significant reforms to address corruption and poor governance.
The protests began as a response to proposed tax hikes, which President Ruto has since withdrawn. Additionally, he has dismissed almost his entire cabinet in an attempt to address the growing discontent. Nevertheless, the demonstrations have continued, underscoring the deep-seated frustrations among the populace.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura revealed that the country has lost approximately 6 billion Kenyan shillings (around $46 million) due to the demonstrations. He did not provide details on how this figure was calculated but emphasized the economic impact of the protests.
In a message that was broadcast on television, Mwaura stated, “We are prepared to address your concerns. The president and the administration as a whole have heard you loud and clear.” The administration’s willingness to resolve the demonstrators’ complaints is reflected in this statement.
The protests are the result of online mobilization and grassroots movements rather than the support of opposition political figures. Because of their decentralized nature, the protests have proven more difficult for the government to control, resulting in a complex situation.
Chief of police Douglas Kanja Kiricho expressed concerns over potential criminal activities taking advantage of the protests. He stated, “We have credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks, including looting.” He announced that no demonstrations would be allowed in Nairobi’s Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice.
However, the High Court’s decision to suspend the police order has temporarily lifted this restriction, allowing protests to continue in the central areas of the city. This legal intervention highlights the ongoing tensions between government authorities and the judiciary regarding the management of civil unrest.
In reaction to the demonstrations, President Ruto has made a number of promises. He pledged last week to build a broad-based government with the goal of involving a greater variety of views in the executive branch. The opposition coalition, however, rejected this idea and demanded a constitutional convention to more fully address their concerns.
The protests started out peacefully but have subsequently descended into violence. A small demonstration on June 25 forced police to open fire after some protestors broke inside the parliament building. The violent turn of events has made matters more difficult and prompted calls for discussion and a peaceful conclusion.
Ruto’s office had planned “multi-sectoral” talks this week to address the protesters’ grievances. However, by Thursday, there was no indication that these discussions had commenced. Many leading figures behind the protests have rejected the invitation for talks, demanding immediate action on issues such as corruption and governance instead.
Activist Boniface Mwangi, responding to efforts to ban the protests, stated on social media platform X, “(The police and President Ruto) have no power to suspend rights guaranteed by the constitution.” His statement reflects the sentiments of many protesters who believe their constitutional rights are being infringed upon.
The Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), the country’s media regulatory body, has cautioned the media against coverage that could incite violence. The CA warned that certain types of reporting could potentially lead to widespread civil unrest, highlighting the sensitive nature of the current situation.
