NAIROBI, Kenya
Kenya’s anti-government street demonstrations resumed on Tuesday after a two-week break, with the country’s youth demanding more reforms at both national and county governments.
Although President William
Ruto succumbed to the protesters’ pressure and withdrew Finance Bill
2024, sacked his entire Cabinet and attorney-general, and
called national dialogue among other pledges, the youth are demanding more—
with some openly calling for the resignation of the besieged head of State.
Others are demanding the
sacking of county governors and executive committee members accused of
corruption, accountability of both local and national leadership, and a stop to
extrajudicial killings.
In the capital Nairobi,
intermittent shots of teargas rent the air as police battled to disperse
protesters, who set out to occupy the central business district and engaged
them in cat-and-mouse games.
“Ruto must go!” the protesters
chanted as they marched on Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street.
Police, who deployed to the
streets as early as 7am, engaged the protesters as they battled to push them
out of the city centre.
An amorphous group that
constitutes Nairobi traders, under the banner of ‘Nairobi Business Community’,
joined the police in guarding business premises against looters.
Armed with clubs, the men and
women stood guard at restaurants and stalls, with some traders opening their
businesses.
All roads leading to and out
of Parliament Buildings and State House remained closed, with water cannons and
fire engines stationed at entry points. Roadblocks were erected at all entry
and exit points.
Transport in and out of the
CBD was paralysed as operators withdrew their services fearing attacks from
demonstrators.
However, some matatus were
still operating at the Machakos Country Bus stage, Kencom stage, Ambassadeur,
Accra Road, and Latema.
A tense mood engulfed
Nairobi’s suburbs and estates, with families keeping indoors fearing attacks,
amid heightened police patrols.
Several companies in the
Industrial Area and Embakasi shut down, with workers being told to stay at
home.
At Kware Police Station in
Embakasi, there was a heavy presence of armed police overnight and in the
morning after reports emerged that protesters who were angered by the killing
and dumping of women in a local quarry were planning to torch it.
Dozens of youths barricaded the quarry, hampering the search and retrieval of more bodies suspected to be underwater.
At Muthurwa and Marikiti
markets, fresh produce sellers went about their business but mitumba traders
shut their stalls, fearing looting.
In Kitengela, dozens of
anti-government protesters barricaded the busy Namanga Road and forced
businesses to close.
Kenya’s anti-government street
demonstrations resumed on Tuesday after a two-week break, with the country’s
youth demanding more reforms at both national and county governments.
Although President William
Ruto succumbed to the protesters’ pressure and withdrew Finance Bill
2024, sacked his entire Cabinet and attorney-general, and
called national dialogue among other pledges, the youth are demanding more—
with some openly calling for the resignation of the besieged head of State.
Others are demanding the
sacking of county governors and executive committee members accused of
corruption, accountability of both local and national leadership, and a stop to
extrajudicial killings.
In the capital Nairobi,
intermittent shots of teargas rent the air as police battled to disperse
protesters, who set out to occupy the central business district and engaged
them in cat-and-mouse games.
“Ruto must go!” the protesters
chanted as they marched on Moi Avenue and Tom Mboya Street.
Police, who deployed to the
streets as early as 7am, engaged the protesters as they battled to push them
out of the city centre.
An amorphous group that
constitutes Nairobi traders, under the banner of ‘Nairobi Business Community’,
joined the police in guarding business premises against looters.
Armed with clubs, the men and
women stood guard at restaurants and stalls, with some traders opening their
businesses.
All roads leading to and out
of Parliament Buildings and State House remained closed, with water cannons and
fire engines stationed at entry points. Roadblocks were erected at all entry
and exit points.
Transport in and out of the
CBD was paralysed as operators withdrew their services fearing attacks from
demonstrators.
However, some matatus were
still operating at the Machakos Country Bus stage, Kencom stage, Ambassadeur,
Accra Road, and Latema.
A tense mood engulfed
Nairobi’s suburbs and estates, with families keeping indoors fearing attacks,
amid heightened police patrols.
Several companies in the
Industrial Area and Embakasi shut down, with workers being told to stay at
home.
At Kware Police Station in
Embakasi, there was a heavy presence of armed police overnight and in the
morning after reports emerged that protesters who were angered by the killing
and dumping of women in a local quarry were planning to torch it.
Dozens of youths barricaded
the quarry, hampering the search and retrieval of more bodies suspected to be
underwater.
At Muthurwa and Marikiti markets, fresh produce sellers went about their business but mitumba traders shut their stalls, fearing looting.
In Kitengela, dozens of
anti-government protesters barricaded the busy Namanga Road and forced
businesses to close.
"We want a change in the
country for the better. The political class has been taking us for a ride. It
won't be business as usual henceforth,” said a youthful protester who had
carried his dog to the protests.
At Kisaju and Isinya town,
along the Namanga highway, youths lit bonfires in protest, inconveniencing
motorists for hours.
By noon, tension was palpable
with the number of protesters increasing. Police lobbed teargas canisters to
disperse the irate protesters.
In Eldoret, President Ruto's
backyard, five youths were arrested for attempting to stage demos.
However, the town caught the
fever of the protests, with operations at the Uasin Gishu County headquarters
being suspended as workers stayed away out of fear of being attacked by
protesters who had threatened to occupy county offices.
The protesters who spoke to
the Nation said they would demand accountability from Governor Jonathan Bii.
“We can’t risk like we did
during the last demonstration that left several county vehicles burnt down and
vandalised by demonstrators who also set the Municipal Court on fire,” said an
employee of the county government.
A heavy presence of police was
witnessed in the town, and by 11am, about five youths had been arrested for
attempting to stage demos and taken to Central Police Station.
Police were reluctant to
justify why they arrested the youths, including a young woman.
One of the arrested youths
maintained that they were determined to stage a demonstration in Eldoret town
despite arrest and intimidation by anti-riot police officers.
“We are peaceful demonstrators
and we will not be intimidated by fighting for the future of our country. This
is our country and we are fighting for everyone, including these officers who
are arresting us,” said the demonstrator upon arrest.
In Turkana County, a section
of protesting youth boldly told their Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai to be wary of
members of the county assembly and some senior county officials, accused of
incompetence.
The youths said despite
threats, they were capitalising on Tuesday's nationwide demonstrations to
peacefully serve the governor and Turkana County Assembly with petitions
highlighting urgent actions for a properly functioning devolved unit.
Led by Faith Ajikon and Pretty
Nasia, the young protestors called out the Turkana County Public Service Board
for employing people without following due process.
"The board is incompetent
and corrupt as it is employing people backdoor without advertising such job
opportunities. Many people have since last year been employed without following
due process denying qualified youth an opportunity to participate in what
should be a competitive process," Ms Ajikon said.
They want the current board
disbanded and a competent one that will overlook illegalities and only
prioritize professionalism and fairness to enhance efficient and effective
service delivery, constituted.
She said that many ghost
workers exist in the county government pushing high the county's wage bill at
the expense of qualified youth with papers but without jobs.
They claimed those without
connections in the public service board are forced to dig deeper into their
pockets to be employed.
Ms Nasia said that the MCAs
should backtrack to their oversight role and ensure that the devolved funds are
properly budgeted and utilized for development.
"At the moment, our
relatives in remote villages are suffering as dispensaries lack essential drugs
and yet MCAs are not putting the duty bearers to task. They should also focus
on passing bills that have immediate development impact in our community,"
she said.
They said that MCAs be
reminded that the office of the governor and all ministries are allocated
millions of money but without them discharging their duties nothing tangible
will be there to show on the ground.
The youth also blamed the
Ministry of Health for not advising the governor properly on the situation of
health facilities calling on the devolved unit to fast-track the process of
procuring drugs.
"The facilities should
also be well equipped so that deployed health care workers can discharge their
responsibilities in a good working environment. Some facilities that are in
shamble like Namukuse dispensary that still has asbestos roof should be
prioritized in the reconstruction," Ms Nasia said.
They also called for a
decentralized ambulance management system noting that most of the ambulances
are found in Lodwar and therefore hard for mothers in remote areas to be
referred when there is an emergency.
"The ambulances are only
available when there are referrals from Lodwar to Eldoret and patients charged
Sh7,000. Well-serviced ambulances should be stationed in sub-counties and
provided with fuel and personnel," the youth demanded.
They claimed that the governor
was being coerced by MCAs into giving handouts at the expense of development
advising him not to fear and just stand his ground and work for the people.
"Listen and lawfully
accommodate the focused young generation in your administration to achieve your
development agenda," Ms Nasia advised the governor.
In Trans Nzoia County, the
county government offices were highly secured with police officers keeping
vigil at both entrances of the Town hall complex which houses the offices
of Governor George Natembeya and other top county officials.
A few youths who had started
protesting in Kitale town early on Tuesday morning were repulsed by county
enforcement officers.
Business, however, was usual
in Kitale town for the better part of Tuesday morning, with streets remaining a
beehive of activity.
Police officers were seen in
strategic areas of the Central Business District (CBD) to keep law and order in
anticipation of anti-government protests that had been scheduled for Tuesday.
The entrance to the Town hall
facility was restricted with only a few people allowed in after through
screening.
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