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Picture courtesy: (Getty) Kenyan police ban anti-government protests in the capital.
(The Post News)- On Wednesday, Kenyan police announced that protests starting from Thursday will be prohibited around the centre of the capital, Nairobi, including the surrounding areas “until further notice.”.
The decision was taken to put a stop to protests whose leaderless nature has made it harder to enforce safety around the capital after weeks of deadly anti-government protests that resulted in bloodshed.
Nairobi City Centre is known for being the place where the youth leaders voiced their concerns during protests; now the protests have also escalated across the country.
The announcement from the police has created outrage online, with people arguing that the police do not possess such powers to prevent or, rather, prohibit the protests around the capitol, adding that Kenyan law gives citizens the right to hold demonstrations.
The protests started against unpopular tax increases, but after they were withdrawn, since then the protests have become broader, adding to calls for President William Ruto to step down.
Online posts indicate that people are gathering at Uhuru Park in the city centre before marching to State House, the president’s official residence.
The police have increased in numbers in the capital in anticipation of the protests.
Acting head of police Douglas Kanja stated in a statement that the decision was taken after getting a tip from credible intelligence that organised criminal groups were planning to make use of the ongoing protests to their advantage.
Criminals have proceeded to infiltrate the protesting groups, resulting in destructive conduct, including a troubling trend of disorder.
Since the onset of the deadly anti-government protests, the president has given in to some of the protesters’ demands, including withdrawing the controversial finance bill. He went as far as dismissing his entire cabinet, including the head of police.
However, protesters have been asking for more action against bad governance as they are tired of corruption, adding that the police should account for the deaths of those who were killed by demonstrators at recent rallies.
According to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, so far, 50 protesters have lost their lives, while 413 have been injured since the beginning of the protests on June 18.
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