Kenyans in their thousands have stormed major streets across multiple regions in the country to begin a fresh nationwide protest over bad governance in the East African country.
It was learnt that the nationwide demonstration which fully began on Tuesday was an effort to intensify demands for improved governance.
It all started as anti-finance bill demonstrations last month but now escalated into widespread anti-government protests.
Today’s rallying call from protest organisers is “Occupy Everywhere.”
Protest have started in Mombasa, Kisumu, Kisii, Migori, Kitengela, and Makueni, while Nairobi remains relatively calm, although reports and live footage indicate gathering crowds in various parts of the capital.
Ibom Focus reported last week that at least 30 people died in protests in Kenya, triggered by the government’s plan substantially to raise taxes, according to the Human Rights Watch on Saturday.
The demonstrations erupted across the country as citizens expressed their anger over the economic strain caused by the proposed tax increases.
In a statement on Saturday by the associate Africa director at the Human Rights Watch, Otsieno Namwaya, “Kenyan security forces shot directly into crowds of protesters on (Tuesday) June 25, 2024, including protesters who were fleeing.”
“Shooting directly into crowds without justification, including as protesters try to flee, is completely unacceptable under Kenyan and international law,” he said.
Ibom Focus had earlier reported that the protesters gathered yet again in Nairobi as Kenya’s security officials put up roadblocks and fire tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators.
Kenyans are determined to continue the protests despite President William Ruto’s U-turn in signing the finance bill that has sparked outrage in the capital, Nairobi and other parts of Kenya.
The protesters gathered yet again in Nairobi as Kenya’s security officials put up roadblocks and fire tear gas and rubber bullets at the demonstrators.
Deadly protests were sparked weeks ago by the 2024 finance bill as the initially peaceful rallies gathered momentum across the country.
About two weeks ago, Kenya’s Parliament was partly set ablaze and at least 22 people were reported killed across the country.