Kenyan Police Ban Protests in Capital, Citing Lack of Leadership
In a move aimed at maintaining public safety, the Kenyan police have indefinitely banned protests in the capital, citing a lack of leadership that would ensure peaceful demonstrations. The ban was announced just hours before a planned protest on Thursday, which was expected to march to the president’s office calling for his resignation over poor governance.
Acting Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja stated that the lack of leadership has made it difficult to enforce safety protocols, prompting the authorities to take this measure. This decision comes as Kenya has seen a month of protests, which began with calls for legislators to vote against a controversial finance bill that proposed higher taxes amidst a cost-of-living crisis and ballooning public debt.
Recent protests have left businesses counting losses due to looting and burnings, while major roads leading to the president’s office remained barricaded by the police on Thursday. Despite the ban, protesters were yet to be spotted, but the police were present in large numbers to maintain order.
Kenya has seen a significant number of casualties since the protests began on June 18, with at least 50 people reported dead, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. The government’s decision to ban protests has sparked concerns over the state of human rights in the country and the effectiveness of the authorities in addressing the root causes of the protests.
As the situation in Kenya continues to unfold, the international community is closely monitoring the developments and urging the government to address the concerns of the protesters and ensure the safety of all citizens.
