Kenyan Police Ban Protests in Nairobi After Deadly Riots

GOOBJOOG NEWS | NAIROBI: Kenyan police have banned anti-government protests in Nairobi’s Central Business District (CBD) and its environs after a series of demonstrations that has led to loss of lives and property.

On Wednesday, Acting Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja issued a statement banning the demonstrations saying intelligence reports had shown organized criminals intended to exploit “peaceful protests for criminal activities including looting.”  

“We have credible intelligence that organised criminal groups are planning to take advantage of the ongoing protests to execute their attacks including looting,” Douglas Kanja Kiricho, the chief of police, said in a statement released late on Wednesday.

Adding, “No demonstrations will be permitted in the Nairobi Central Business District and its surroundings until further notice to ensure public safety.”

At least 50 people have been killed in the youth-led protests against proposed tax hikes that broke out across the country a month ago and have continued even after Kenyan President William Ruto withdrew the legislation and fired almost all of his cabinet.

The protests, which have been organised online without the apparent support of opposition political figures, have created the biggest crisis of Ruto’s two years in power.

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 for this week to address the protesters’ grievances, but by Thursday there was no sign they had begun.

Most of the leading figures behind the protests have rejected the invitation, instead calling for immediate action on issues like corruption.