Anti-government protests resumed in Kenya on Tuesday after a two-week hiatus, with the country’s youth demanding more reforms in both national and local governments.
Although President William Ruto gave in to pressure from protesters and withdrew the Finance Bill 2024, He dismissed his entire government. Although the youth have demanded the resignation of the embattled head of state, and called for national dialogue among other pledges, the youth are demanding more – with some explicitly calling for the resignation of the embattled head of state.
Others are calling for the removal of provincial governors and executive committee members accused of corruption, accountability of local and national leaders, and an end to extrajudicial killings.
In the capital, Nairobi, sporadic bursts of tear gas were heard in the air as police tried to disperse protesters, who had taken over the central business district and clashed with them in a cat-and-mouse game.
“Ruto must go!” protesters chanted as they marched along Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street.
Tight security has been imposed around Kisumu’s government hotel as protesters approach the key facility in an attempt to “occupy” it.
Image source: Rushdie Odea | Nation Media Group
Police, who had been on the streets since 7am, clashed with protesters as they tried to push them out of the city centre.
An unidentified group of Nairobi traders, under the banner of the Nairobi Business Community, has joined the police in guarding commercial premises against looters.
Men and women, armed with clubs, stood guard at restaurants and stalls, while some merchants opened their shops.
All roads leading to the parliament buildings and the presidential palace remained closed, with water cannons and fire engines deployed at entry and exit points. Barriers were also set up at all entry and exit points.
Transport in and out of the central business district was paralysed after operators withdrew services for fear of attacks by protesters.
However, some matatu were still operating on the Machakos Country Bus stage, Kencom stage, Ambassador, Accra Road and Latema.
Tension prevailed in the suburbs and neighbourhoods of Nairobi, as families remained in their homes for fear of being attacked, amid heavy police patrols.
Several businesses in the industrial area and Embakasi have closed their doors and workers have been asked to stay home.
At Kwari police station in Embakasi, there was a heavy armed police presence throughout the night and morning after reports that protesters angered by the killing of women and their dumping at a local quarry were planning to set it alight.
Dozens of young men surrounded the quarry, hampering search operations and the recovery of more bodies suspected to be underwater.
In Muthurwa and Marikiti markets, fresh produce vendors were doing business, but mitumba traders had closed their stalls for fear of looting.
In Kitengela, dozens of anti-government protesters blocked the busy Namanga Road, forcing businesses to close.
Residents of Mtwapa in Kilifi County stand guard at a Quick Mart supermarket on July 16, 2024. This was one of the shops vandalized by thugs during an anti-government protest two weeks ago.
Image source: Mwangi has recovered from the nation’s media group.
“We want a change in the country for the better. The political class has exploited us. Things will never be normal again,” said one young protester who brought his dog to the protests.
In the towns of Kisajo and Isinya, along the Namanga road, youths set fires in protest, causing inconvenience to motorists for hours.
By noon, tension was evident as the number of protesters grew. Police fired tear gas to disperse the angry demonstrators.
13:18 Kitengela: Police extinguish fires set by protesters in Kitengela town, officers from the Public Service Unit have been deployed.
Image source: Stanley Ngotho | Nation Media Group
In Eldoret, the area around President Ruto, five youths were arrested for trying to organize demonstrations.
However, the city was gripped by protest fever, with operations at the Uasin Gishu county headquarters suspended as workers stayed away for fear of being attacked by protesters who threatened to occupy the county offices.
Protesters who spoke to The Nation said they will demand accountability from Gov. Jonathan P.
“We cannot take risks as we did during the last demonstration that resulted in several county vehicles being burned and vandalized by protesters who also set fire to the municipal courthouse,” said a county government employee.
There was a heavy police presence in the town, and by 11am, about five young men had been arrested for trying to organise demonstrations, and were taken to the central police station.
The police did not want to explain why they arrested the youth, including a young woman.
One of the arrested youths confirmed that they were determined to hold a demonstration in Eldoret despite the arrest and intimidation by riot police officers.
“We are peaceful protesters and we will not give in to intimidation while fighting for the future of our country,” the protester said when he was arrested. “This is our country and we are fighting for everyone, including these officers who are arresting us.”
In Turkana County, a section of protesting youths called on their governor, Jeremiah Lomurkayi, to be wary of members of the county assembly and some senior county officials, who are accused of incompetence.
The youth said despite the threats, they used Tuesday’s nationwide demonstrations to peacefully serve the governor and the Turkana County Assembly with petitions highlighting urgent action for a properly functioning decentralized unit.
Led by Faith Agyekun and Brittia Nasya, the young protesters demanded that the Turkana County Public Service Board hire people without due process.
“The council is inefficient and corrupt because it employs people behind the scenes without advertising these job opportunities. Since last year, many people have been employed without due process, depriving qualified youth of the opportunity to participate in what should be a competitive process,” said Ms. Ajikun.
They want to dissolve the current council and form another efficient council that overlooks irregularities and prioritizes only professionalism and justice to enhance efficient and effective service delivery.
She said there are many ghost workers in the county government who are working to raise the county’s wage bill at the expense of qualified young people who have papers but no jobs.
They claimed that those without connections in the Public Service Board had to spend more money in order to get a job.
Ms. Nasya said export control bodies should step back from their oversight role and ensure that delegated funds are properly allocated and used for development.
“Currently, our relatives in remote villages are suffering due to lack of essential medicines in pharmacies, yet the healthcare bodies are not holding officials to account. They should also focus on passing bills that have an immediate developmental impact in our community,” she added.
They said the governors should remember that the governor’s office and all ministries are allocated millions of dollars but without them doing their duties there will be nothing tangible on the ground.
The youth also blamed the Ministry of Health for not properly advising the governor on the state of health facilities, calling on the mandated unit to expedite the procurement of medicines.
“Facilities must be well equipped so that healthcare workers can perform their responsibilities in a good working environment. Some facilities that have fallen into a deplorable state such as the Namukyus dispensary which still has an asbestos roof must be prioritized for reconstruction,” Ms. Nasya added.
They also demanded a decentralised ambulance management system, pointing out that most ambulances are located in Lodwar and thus it is difficult for mothers in remote areas to access them in case of an emergency.
The youth demanded that “ambulances are only available when there are referrals from Lodwar to Eldoret and patients are charged Sh7,000. Well-serviced ambulances should be deployed in the sub-counties and provided with fuel and personnel.”
They alleged that the governor was being coerced by community bodies to distribute aid at the expense of development, and advised him not to be afraid, stand his ground and work for the people.
“Listen and understand the young generation targeted by your administration to achieve your development agenda,” Ms. Nasya advised the governor.
In Trans Nzoia County, county government offices have been heavily secured with police officers on alert at both entrances to the town hall complex that houses the offices of Governor George Natembia and other top county officials.
Law enforcement forces in the county confronted a few youths who started the protest in Kitale town early Tuesday morning.
However, things remained normal in Kitale town for most of Tuesday morning, with the streets still bustling with activity.
Police were seen in strategic areas in the central business district to maintain law and order in anticipation of anti-government protests that were scheduled to kick off on Tuesday.
Entry to the town hall has been restricted with only a few people allowed in after thorough screening.
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