Palpable tension in Nairobi, police clash with protesters in Kenya as military patrols streets
The leaderless movement began online with young people demanding that legislators reject the proposed tax hikes. It later morphed into calls for the president’s resignation after the bill was passed. On Tuesday, thousands of protesters stormed Kenya’s parliament, burning parts of the building and sending lawmakers fleeing. Police opened fire and at least 23 people were reportedly killed in the chaos.
Hope and fear hang in the air as newly arrived Kenyan police force prepares to face Haitian gangs
Expectations are high: Haitians are scared and tired of gangs that have pillaged their way through the capital of Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, killing, raping and kidnapping thousands of people in recent years and leaving hundreds of thousands of others homeless and unemployed, which in turn has deepened poverty.
Accused of killing children for ‘asking for food, jobs and a listening ear’ Kenyan president caves in, dumps finance bill
At least 23 people – the number could be as high as 100 – were killed, the Kenya National Human Rights Commission said and police were accused of some shooting deaths. Chairperson Roseline Odede said 50 people were arrested.
Kenya president backs down on tax hikes after deadly unrest, but youth vow carry on
Vice President Rigathi Gachagua asked young people to call off the protests to avoid any further loss of life and destruction of property, and blamed the intelligence services for giving the government poor advice.
After youth burned sections of Kenyan parliament, the irate rioters battled police into wee hours of Wednesday
Opposition to the finance bill has united a large part of the country, with some explicitly rejecting the tribal divisions that have torn Kenya apart in the past. Some who had passionately supported Ruto felt betrayed.
Arrival of 400 Kenyan police officers in Haiti offers PM Conille respite as he vows to retake country from criminals
The gang wars have now displaced over half a million people and nearly five million are facing severe food insecurity. Armed groups, which now control most of the capital, have formed a broad alliance while carrying out widespread killings, ransom kidnappings and sexual violence.
Why irate Kenyan youth unleashed their economic frustrations on President Ruto, burned parliament
Young Kenyans have been organising on social media, organising peaceful street demonstrations meant to force authorities to drop this finance bill altogether. The protests started on June 18 after the bill was made public for the first time.
‘Betrayed’ Kenyan youth turn on President Ruto, who they enthusiastially voted for, burn parliament as police kill 10
At least five people were shot dead while treating the wounded, the Kenya Medical Association and other groups said in a joint statement. It said more than 30 people were wounded, at least 13 with live bullets. One person shot dead was wrapped in a Kenyan flag and carried away. Another lay on the sidewalk, their head in the gutter.
Kenyan police off to Haiti on UN public order restoration mission as President Ruto faces withering criticism
A court case seeking to block the deployment is pending, but an initial ruling had called the deployment unconstitutional, citing the lack of a reciprocal agreement between Kenya and Haiti.
High-ranking government officials reveal Kenyan police deployment to Haiti is imminent
In addition to Kenya, Jamaica, the Bahamas, Barbados, Chad, Bangladesh have pledged personnel to the 2,500-strong mission, which is being funded primarily by the United States.