Kenyan police have imposed a ban on protests in the center of the capital, Nairobi, and surrounding areas “until further notice,” citing the leaderless nature of the demonstrations which has made it challenging to ensure safety.
The announcement follows a month of anti-government protests that have resulted in numerous fatalities, with more protests planned for Thursday.
Nairobi’s city center has been the epicenter of these youth-led protests, which have also erupted across the country. Initially sparked by opposition to unpopular tax increases, the protests have expanded to include demands for President William Ruto’s resignation, despite the withdrawal of the tax hikes.
Online posters have called for demonstrators to gather on Thursday at Uhuru Park in the city center and march to State House, the president’s official residence.
In response, police issued a statement late Wednesday declaring, “No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety.”
The ban has ignited outrage online, with some arguing that the police lack the authority to impose such a ban, as Kenyan law grants citizens the right to hold demonstrations. In anticipation of the protests, there is already a heavy police presence in the capital.
Acting head of police Douglas Kanja justified the decision, stating that it was based on “credible intelligence that organized criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests.”
He further explained, “Criminals have continued to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in a troubling trend of disorderly and destructive conduct.”
Kanja added that the absence of designated leadership in previous demonstrations had complicated the enforcement of safety protocols. Since the protests began, President Ruto has acceded to some of the demonstrators’ demands, including the withdrawal of the contentious finance bill, the dismissal of his entire cabinet, and the resignation of the head of police.
Despite these concessions, the protesters continue to call for more action against bad governance and corruption and demand accountability for the deaths of dozens of demonstrators at recent rallies.
According to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 50 protesters have been killed and 413 injured since the protests commenced on June 18.
Chioma Kalu
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