Two Kenyans die in protests over cost-of-living and tax increases | Tellwell Newspaper
Tellwell Newspaper, Abuja – Nigeria:
Clashes between police and protesters resulted in two deaths in the city of Kisimu. This as Kenya enters the second day of a three-day protest called by opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The protesters took to the streets again this morning in defiance of a government warning and despite the fact that at least 14 people were killed in last week’s round of demonstrations.
Kenya’s opposition, led by Odinga, has vowed to continue the protests against President William Ruto’s government.
Yesterday, Kenyan police fired tear gas at the protesters at demonstrators in Nairobi’s Kibera slum, an Odinga stronghold.
Other groups were targeted, including MPs and prominent opponents.
Schools and shops were closed in Nairobi and other cities from Wednesday morning.
Offices in the capital’s business district were largely shuttered.
It is the third time this month that Odinga has staged mass rallies against a government who he blames for the cost-of-living crisis in Kenya.
Increase in violence
On the eve of the demonstration, police described the protests as a “threat to national security” and the government said it would not allow lawlessness to go unchecked.
“Anyone planning to unleash violence on Kenyans is hereby warned to cease and desist,” said Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki, adding that all available security resources had been deployed to maintain order.
Foreign partners call for a political solution to the crisis.
The National Cohesion and Integration Commission, a Kenyan state agency, reported incidents of ethnically-motivated violence during last week’s protests, and warned that gangs were using the chaos to target innocent people.
The international NGO Human Rights Watch on Tuesday said Kenya had an obligation to protect the right of citizens to peacefully protest, and condemned the police response in earlier demonstrations.
Defeated Odinga files challenge against Kenya election result
Odinga called off an earlier bout of anti-government demonstrations in May after Ruto agreed to dialogue, but the talks broke down.
President William Ruto was elected with a narrow election victory last August over Odinga, who claimed the vote was “stolen”.
Ruto took office as Kenya’s economy was crippled by soaring debt and inflation, and has been criticised for raising taxes despite campaigning to bring prices down.
RFI/AFP
