Kenyan authorities used tear gas in central Nairobi as small groups of demonstrators gathered in a renewed effort to protest against President William Ruto.
Riot police controlled the central business district, set up roadblocks, and many shops remained closed. Despite this, only a few dozen protesters showed up, according to AFP reporters.
The stable East African nation has faced protests against Ruto’s two-year-old administration, primarily led by young Gen-Z Kenyans. As Ruto oversaw the cabinet inauguration, nearby police used tear gas in the central business district and made several arrests. Otherwise, the streets seemed fairly quiet, with only a few people going about their business.
Kenya’s acting police chief had warned that “criminals” planned to join demonstrations and advised avoiding certain protected zones.
President Ruto has addressed public anger by scrapping tax hikes, reshuffling the cabinet, and making deep budget cuts. Thursday’s installation of a new “broad-based” cabinet with opposition members marks a new chapter for Kenya’s governance and development.
Ruto assumed the presidency in September 2022 after winning a closely contested and divisive election against long-time opposition leader Raila Odinga.
He promised to focus on improving the lives of Kenya’s underprivileged and marginalised population. However, he has found himself in a difficult position, torn between the expectations of international creditors to bolster the government’s finances for servicing its substantial $78 billion debt and the ordinary Kenyan citizens who are grappling with the challenges of high living costs.
Despite the country’s relatively robust economic growth, estimated at 5.4 per cent by the central bank for this year, one-third of Kenya’s 52 million inhabitants live in poverty.