Kenya: New Protests Anti-Goverment Take Place in Nairobi
Journalist Wounded during the new protests, Aug 8, 2024 Photo: @France24_en
August 8, 2024 Hour: 2:32 pm
The city’s businesses closed and public transport vehicles remained outside the central business district where they normally operate.
The demonstrations, organized by activists upset with Ruto, occurred when a new cabinet took office. After weeks of similar protests for reforms, the president had ruled out planned tax increases and revised his cabinet to include opposition members.
Related:
Kenya: William Ruto Formally Appoints Ministers for His New Government
But while this was a victory for activists and protesters who had demanded radical changes, it seems that this was not enough for some.
Demonstrations began on June 18, with initial calls to legislators to vote against the controversial finance bill that included tax increases.
On 25 June, protesters stormed the parliament after lawmakers voted in favour of the bill, prompting Ruto to say that he would withdraw it. More than 50 people have been killed since the protests began, according to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission.
But on Thursday, major cities and towns remained quiet and some residents said they were not protesting the addition of opposition figures to the new cabinet. Ruto has condemned the protests and urged Kenyans to stay away from them, saying that those who want change can vote to eliminate it in the 2027 elections.
Autor: OSG
Fuente: EFE-Africanews
