Protests continued in Kenya on Thursday, albeit on a smaller scale, despite President William Ruto’s decision to withdraw tax hike proposals and his promise to implement austerity measures.
Hundreds of people took to the streets in various towns across Kenya, although their numbers were notably fewer than earlier in the week. The demonstrators defied pleas from Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who had urged them on Wednesday to call off the protests and engage in dialogue with the government.
The protesters stated they were rallying in memory of their colleagues who had died or been injured in previous demonstrations. In Nairobi, the capital, military personnel and anti-riot police officers were stationed on most streets. On some streets, protesters lit candles and placed them alongside rose flowers, singing funeral songs. They also wrote the names of those allegedly killed in the protests on manila papers, listing 18 names, most of whom were in their 20s.
According to the government, at least six people lost their lives and approximately 214 others were injured in Tuesday’s protests. Most of those who died were killed at the parliament as police opened fire on protesters who had breached security. Ruto expressed regret over the deaths and stated that the government would create a framework to ensure accountability.
Protesters later clashed with police on Thursday in downtown Nairobi, with police using tear gas to disperse them. Several protesters were arrested and taken away in police vehicles. Security checks were heightened on all major roads leading to Nairobi’s central business district, but the military personnel did not engage in confrontations with the people.
“I joined Kenyans in holding a vigil and observed a moment of silence for all we have lost during this period,” said Justina Mungai, a protester. She expressed satisfaction with Ruto’s decision to withdraw the Finance Bill 2024 but insisted that the government should allow them to mourn their colleagues on the streets.
“Those who were killed were peaceful protesters fighting for our rights. Today’s protests are about them; we shall never forget them,” she added.
The protesters also demanded further concessions from Ruto, including addressing corruption and dismissing certain cabinet secretaries accused of misconduct.
In addition to Nairobi, protests were also held in the coastal city of Mombasa, where police engaged protesters in running battles as demonstrations turned violent. Some individuals took advantage of the chaos to steal from the public, with many losing wallets, handbags, and mobile phones.
Similar violent protests occurred in Kisumu, a lakeside city in western Kenya, where protesters clashed with police. Protesters had threatened to storm the region’s State Lodge, but security officers managed to negotiate with them to prevent the attempt. Incidents of looting were reported, with people invading a supermarket and robbing pedestrians.
In Eldoret, a different kind of protest took place, where anti-protesters armed with weapons roamed the town to prevent any demonstrations.
On Wednesday, Ruto withdrew the Finance Bill 2024, which included taxation measures that lawmakers passed on Tuesday to raise an additional 346.7 billion shillings (approximately 2.67 billion U.S. dollars) to fund the country’s 31 billion dollar budget for the financial year 2024/2025.
“Following the passage of the bill, the country witnessed protests and destruction of constitutional institutions. Listening keenly to the people of Kenya, who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede and, therefore, I will not sign it, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn,” Ruto announced on Wednesday.
United Nations Human Rights Commissioner Volker Turk expressed his sadness over the protests and violence in Kenya, which had resulted in deaths and injuries. “I urge restraint to facilitate the rights to peaceful assembly and expression, and dialogue to listen to the voices of young people. Investigations and accountability are essential,” he stated on social media on Thursday.
