Kenya Protests: Anti-Government Unrest and Police Response

Anti-government protests in Kenya are in their fifth week. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reports that at least 50 people have died and 413 have been injured since June 18. These protests started because people wanted legislators to vote against a finance bill. This bill suggested new taxes. The unrest shows deep frustration with the high cost of living and joblessness. People are also upset about what they see as government corruption. Africanews.com reports that protests against tax increases have become deadly. This highlights widespread unhappiness with economic policies.

Government Response and Leadership

President William Ruto chose not to sign the bill. He has also dismissed almost all of his Cabinet ministers [Source needed]. Police have been banned in Nairobi because of a lack of clear leadership. This leadership is needed to work with police to ensure safety. However, the court ordered that the police ban on protests be stopped. Kenya’s constitution says people have the right to protest peacefully. Police are given notice ahead of time so they can provide security.

Former Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigned on July 12. The acting police head, Douglas Kanja, said that the country’s main airport is a “protected area”. He added that it is “out of bounds to unauthorized persons.”

Opposition Demands and Proposed Solutions

Opposition leader Raila Odinga denied bribery claims. He voiced his support for protesters and gave a list of demands. These demands must be met by the government before talks can begin. Odinga wants compensation for the families of those killed. He also wants charges dropped against those arrested during protests. He wants a full review of the finance bill. Finally, he wants a commitment to fix the economic problems that started the protests. He has asked for an independent investigation into the police’s use of force during the protests. He says they used excessive brutality and ignored human rights. The opposition leader has also suggested a national dialogue forum. This forum would discuss issues of governance, corruption, and economic inequality. The goal is to create a fairer society. The opposition wants families of the protesters who were killed to be paid. They also want charges dropped against those arrested.

Underlying Issues and Future Implications

President Ruto knows that many Kenyans face economic problems. However, his plan to raise taxes has been widely opposed. Low-income earners and small business owners are especially against it. The protests show a growing gap between the government’s plans and what citizens need. This raises questions about the current economic strategies. It also raises questions about the government’s ability to fix the country’s problems. Ethnic and political divides make the situation even harder. These divides have historically led to instability and violence in Kenya. The demonstrations show growing public frustration with the government’s economic policies, according to France24.com.