Kenyan police resorted to firing teargas at a handful of stubborn protesters and blocking streets leading to the presidential palace on Thursday. This came despite President William Ruto’s attempt to calm the storm by retracting a controversial tax hike bill.
Attendance was a far cry from the throngs that had taken to the streets in the past week, all fired up by the tax increase. Ruto, in a move that screamed desperation, withdrew the bill on Wednesday after violent clashes led to the deaths of at least 23 people and saw parliament briefly overtaken and set on fire.
What They Are saying
President Ruto now faces the biggest crisis of his presidency. What began as online grumbling about tax hikes has ballooned into mass protests demanding a complete political overhaul. Yet, without a clear leadership structure, protest supporters can’t seem to agree on their next move.
“Let’s not be foolish as we fight for a better Kenya,” said Boniface Mwangi, a notable social justice activist, in an Instagram post. He backed Thursday’s protests but advised against storming State House, the president’s official residence. He argued that such actions could incite further violence and justify a harsh government crackdown.
In Nairobi, the capital, the streets were teeming with police and soldiers on Thursday, all on high alert. Police used teargas to scatter a small group of protesters gathered in the city center. Meanwhile, Medics for Kenya, a volunteer doctors group, reported their staff at the Jamia Mosque/Crescent Hospital had been caught in the teargas crossfire. They condemned the violence against their medical teams in the strongest possible terms.
The government wasn’t taking any chances, deploying military vehicles to patrol the streets. In other regions, hundreds of protesters gathered in Mombasa, a major port city, and in Kisumu, in the west. Thankfully, these gatherings were peaceful.
While some protest supporters decided to call it quits after the finance bill was scrapped, others vowed to continue until Ruto steps down. “Right now is not about just the finance bill but about #RutoMustGo,” political activist Davis Tafari told Reuters via text. He urged for the occupation of State House to demand justice and fresh elections.
Eli Owuor, a 34-year-old from Kibera, a protest hotspot, also expressed his readiness to march on State House.
Why It Matters
This wave of protests stands out from previous ones in Kenya, which were often driven by political figures and ethnic loyalties. This time, the movement has struck a chord with citizens across the country, all fed up with soaring living costs and relentless corruption. The discontent has spread even to Ruto’s hometown of Eldoret, in his ethnic Kalenjin stronghold.
Bottom Line
The Kenya Medical Association reported that at least 23 people had been killed nationwide, with 30 others treated for gunshot wounds. Medical officials in Nairobi confirmed that numerous individuals had been injured during the clashes.
