At least one person was killed in renewed anti-government protests across Kenya on Tuesday, as police clashed with demonstrators demanding President William Ruto’s resignation, a Reuters reporter said. The youth-led nationwide protests, which began a month ago against proposed tax hikes, have persisted despite Ruto withdrawing the legislation and dismissing almost all of his cabinet.
Activists are calling for systemic changes to address corruption and poor governance, alongside Ruto’s resignation. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that at least 50 people have been killed in the protests to date.
In Kitengela, a town on the southern outskirts of Nairobi, police fired repeatedly at hundreds of protesters, some of whom were throwing rocks. Protesters burned tyres, waved Kenyan flags, and chanted, “Ruto must go!” A Reuters reporter witnessed the body of one protester with a head wound.
The national police spokesperson declined to comment. Tuesday’s protests appeared to be some of the largest since Ruto withdrew the tax increases on June 26. The Nation newspaper reported demonstrations in at least 23 of Kenya’s 47 counties. In Nairobi’s city centre, riot police fired tear gas at several dozen protesters, and an ambulance service posted footage showing personnel carrying away an injured individual.
Demonstrators in Mombasa waved palm fronds as they marched, while litter burned in the streets, as shown on Kenyan television channels. The protests have created the biggest crisis of Ruto’s two years in power. With Kenya spending over 30 percent of its revenues on debt interest, Ruto faces pressure from lenders to cut deficits and from a population struggling with rising living costs.
“Ruto is very incompetent. He has no leadership skills. He just wanted the title of president of this country,” said one Nairobi protester. “The guy is a puppet to the IMF. That is it. Whatever he’s doing, he’s doing for the IMF.” Young Kenyan protesters have targeted the International Monetary Fund (IMF), accusing it of driving the proposed tax hikes. The IMF claims its lending programs aim to help Kenya overcome economic challenges and improve its citizens’ well-being.
Ruto’s office announced “multi-sectoral” talks to address grievances raised by the protesters, but there was no sign they had begun. Leading activists behind the protests have rejected the invitation, calling for immediate action on issues like corruption. Ruto’s spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.
The protests, initially peaceful, later turned violent. Some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament on June 25, prompting police to open fire. In addition to the 50 deaths, KNCHR reported 413 injuries, 682 arbitrary detentions, and 59 abductions or disappearances related to the protests. Ruto has promised to investigate accusations of abuse but broadly defended the police’s conduct, accusing criminals of hijacking peaceful protests.
On Monday, Ruto accused the Ford Foundation, an American philanthropic organization, of sponsoring those causing “violence and mayhem” in Kenya, without providing evidence. The Ford Foundation denied the allegation, maintaining a strictly non-partisan policy in its grant-making.
