Kenya bans protests in the capital over security concerns and lack of leadership

Although protesters had not yet been seen on Thursday, major roads leading to the president’s office remained barricaded by police. Kenya has experienced a month of protests, initially sparked by opposition to a controversial finance bill proposing higher taxes amid a cost-of-living crisis and growing public debt.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that at least 50 people have died since the protests began on June 18. President William Ruto announced he would not sign the finance bill passed by parliament on June 25, the day protesters stormed and burned part of the building, causing legislators to flee. Last week, the president dismissed nearly his entire Cabinet and the attorney general, as protesters accused ministers of incompetence, corruption, and opulence.

Businesses in Nairobi remained closed on a rainy Thursday morning in anticipation of the protests. Police were heavily deployed around the central business district, patrolling the streets.

Police have faced accusations of brutality against protesters. Former Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome resigned on Friday following calls from demonstrators for him to take responsibility for the shooting of protesters. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority announced on Wednesday that it had forwarded four out of ten cases of police brutality to the director of public prosecutions with recommendations. The watchdog had recorded witness statements and instructed various police officers to appear before it to give their testimony.

Kenyan police officers have previously been accused of brutality. Currently, a contingent of 400 officers is in Haiti, leading a UN-backed mission to combat gang violence.

(with agency inputs)