Police in Kenya have banned demonstrations in the heart of the capital Nairobi until further notice. This comes after weeks of anti-government protests which they said have been infiltrated by organised criminal gangs.
Some activists have called for people to gather with camping gear to “occupy” a park near the city centre. There’s heavy police presence across Nairobi.
No Let-up In Protests
At least 50 people have died in protests against proposed tax hikes that broke out across Kenya a month ago. Protesters haven’t relented after President William Ruto withdrew the legislation and fired almost all of his cabinet. Activists want Ruto to resign and are calling for reforms to clean up corruption and address poor governance.
“We have credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks, including looting,” chief of police Douglas Kanja Kiricho has said. “No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety.”
The protests, organised online without the support of the Opposition, have been the biggest crisis of Ruto’s two years in power.
Protesters Snub President
In his latest concession, Ruto pledged to set up a broad-based government. The Opposition coalition rejected the idea, calling for a constitutional convention.
The rallies began peacefully but later turned violent. Some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament on June 25, and the police opened fire.
Ruto’s office planned “multi-sectoral” talks this week to address protesters’ grievances but they haven’t begun yet.
Most of the leading figures behind the protests have rejected the invitation. Their demand is immediate action on issues such as corruption.
“(The police and president Ruto) have no power to suspend rights guaranteed by the constitution,” activist Boniface Mwangi wrote on X in response to the protest ban.
Media Gets Warning
The Communications Authority of Kenya, a regulatory body, has cautioned the media against “perpetuating” violence in their coverage of the protests, “which could potentially cause widespread civil unrest in the country”.
Some outlets have “compromised objectivity and balance in reporting crime, security operations and/or crisis situations,” according to CA chief David Mugonyi.
With inputs from Reuters
