An organiser of youth-led rallies told AFP Sunday that Kenya’s President William Ruto “needs to publicly address” protesters’ demands to revoke tax increases. This comes after the country’s leader expressed willingness to engage in discussions with the demonstrators.
“If he truly wants dialogue, he must respond publicly to our demand letter,” Hanifa Adan said, accusing police of “brutalising” thousands of protesters who held nationwide demonstrations this week to oppose proposed tax increases.
The protests, which lasted for a week, were mostly peaceful. However, according to a joint statement by five organizations, including Amnesty International, at least 105 demonstrators were arrested in a violent crackdown by riot police. The crackdown involved the use of tear gas, water cannon, and rubber bullets.
According to an official from the Kenya Human Rights Commission speaking to AFP news agency on Saturday, 21-year-old Evans Kiratu was fatally injured by a tear gas canister during the protests.
Additionally, a police oversight body announced on Friday that it was looking into allegations that a 29-year-old man was shot by law enforcement officers in Nairobi following the demonstrations