Kenya: Police use water cannons and tear gas against protests

Kenya: Police use water cannons and tear gas against protests

The Kenyan police have used tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators who took part in a pro-Democracy march on the 35th anniversary. This march has fueled among the Kenyan adolescents who are already raised by allegations of corruption, police violence and kidnapping by government critics.

wave of protests in Kenya

The East African country has been affected by a wave of bloody protests since last year, which has been triggered by an unpopular financial law. This law, which increased taxes in the middle of a cost of living, led to massive unrest among the population. In June last year, the Kenyan government withdrew the law, but the anger in society through the recent Death of a teacher in Police custody and the shooting of an unarmed street seller by the police.

protests and their consequences

Last month at the anti-government-critical protests at least Anti- Tax demonstrations In 2024, many other people died.

The Saba Saba demonstrations

On Monday, people gathered in several parts of Kenya to celebrate the anniversary of the Pro Democracy March on July 7, 1990, known as Saba Saba. In the capital Nairobi, the protesters were pushed back by the Kenyans' security forces with tear gas and water cannons after important main roads had previously been blocked into the city. The streets that lead to the parliamentary building as well as to the office and place of residence of the president were also blocked in advance of the demonstrations.

reports on police violence

On Monday afternoon there were reports that the police fired on protesters. Police spokesman Muchiri Nyaga announced CNN that he was not informed about any deaths. The hard use of the police reports that people who were referred to by the Kenyan Human Rights Commission as "Handlanger" stormed the NGO office in order to silence deviating opinions. These people had violently interrupted a press conference of Kenyan mothers, which demanded an end to arbitrary arrests, the forced disappearance and the extra -legal killings of protesters.

reactions of the government

The government representative Kenya, Isaac Mwaura, referred to the police spokesman when he was asked to comment on the allegations. Police spokesman Nyaga explained that the national police were investigating the incident and taking appropriate steps after examining the "unacceptable clips" that was shared by the NGO.

warnings of unrest

Already on Sunday, Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen expressed that the security authorities were "on an increased willingness to alert to a decisive factor against criminals and other poorly minded elements that could infiltrate peaceful protests and cause chaos, restlessness or property damage." Murkomen described the protests of the last month as "terrorism, which is disguised as dissent," further heated.