New anti-govt protests break up in Kenya with calls for Ruto to quit

Riot Police load one of the protesters on a truck

Nairobi July 16–Hundreds of anti government protesters have taken to the streets of Kenya demanding that embattled President William Ruto resign. At least one person was reported killed in the renewed protests.

Tuesday’s demonstrations, spanning from the capital, Nairobi to the southern coastal town of Mombasa, are the latest bout of unrest since government-planned tax hikes prompted mass anger in mid-June.

In Nairobi Police fired teargas abundantly in the city centre trying to stop any crowds from forming.

In the nearby town of Kitengala, some 200 protesters burned tyres and chanted “Ruto must go” as police replied with teargas.

In Mombasa, in the south, more protesters marched waving palm fronds, footage from Kenyan media showed.

The demonstrations that started peacefully last month, soon spiralled into violence, with some protesters even briefly storming parliament and police opening fire.

More than 50 people were killed during the protests, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, with police accused of using excessive force.

Another 59 people have been abducted or are missing and 628 others were arbitrarily arrested, the commission said.

Youth-led nationwide protests that broke out a month ago against proposed tax hikes have continued even after Ruto withdrew the legislation and fired almost all of his cabinet. Activists say they want Ruto to resign and are calling for systemic changes to clean up corruption and address poor governance.