Kenyan police have imposed an indefinite ban on protests in the capital city of Nairobi, citing a lack of leadership to ensure peaceful demonstrations. The ban comes just hours before a planned protest where demonstrators were set to march to the president's office, demanding his resignation due to poor governance.
The Acting police inspector general stated that the absence of effective leadership has made it challenging to enforce safety protocols during protests. Recent demonstrations have resulted in looting and burning of businesses, causing significant financial losses.
Despite the ban, protesters have not yet been seen on the streets, but major roads leading to the president's office have been barricaded by the police. The protests initially began with calls for legislators to reject a controversial finance bill proposing higher taxes amidst economic challenges and mounting public debt.
Since the protests commenced on June 18, at least 50 individuals have lost their lives, as reported by the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. President William Ruto refused to sign the finance bill passed by parliament on June 25, following the storming and burning of part of the building by protesters.
Last week, the president dismissed most of his Cabinet and the attorney general, meeting the demands of protesters who accused ministers of incompetence, corruption, and lavish lifestyles. Some businesses in Nairobi preemptively closed their doors on the day of the planned protest, with a heavy police presence observed in the central business district.
Allegations of police brutality against protesters have surfaced, leading to the resignation of the former inspector general of police after calls for accountability in the shooting of demonstrators. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority disclosed that it had forwarded cases of police brutality to the director of public prosecutions for review.
Kenyan police officers have faced accusations of excessive force in the past, with a group of 400 officers currently deployed in Haiti as part of a UN-backed mission to combat gang violence.
