by Nurat Uthman
At least one person was killed in fresh anti-government protests across Kenya on Tuesday, Reuters reported, as police clashed with demonstrators demanding that President William Ruto step down.
Youth-led protests that broke out a month ago against proposed tax hikes have continued even after Ruto withdrew the legislation and fired almost all of his cabinet. A top police chief also resigned amid the protests.
CNN reporter Larry Madowo on X posted a video of the media outfit’s photojournalist who was sprayed with teargas.
Activists say they want Ruto to resign and are calling for systemic changes to clean up corruption and address poor governance.
At least 50 people have been killed in the protests to date, the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said on Tuesday.
In Kitengela, a town on the southern outskirts of the capital Nairobi, police fired repeatedly in the direction of hundreds of protesters, some of whom were throwing rocks, Reuters TV footage showed. The protesters also burned tyres, waved Kenyan flags and chanted “Ruto must go!”
A Reuters reporter saw the body of one protester lying on the ground with blood oozing from a head wound. The national police spokesperson declined to comment.
In a statement, the interior ministry did not directly address events on Tuesday, but said security agencies were under instructions to exercise restraint.
The demonstrations on Tuesday appeared to be some of the biggest since Ruto withdrew the tax increases on June 26.
During the protests in Nakuru, three people, including a journalist, were shot.
According to local report by The Star, Wanjeri wa Kariuki, who is a journalist, was shot three times in the thigh and was taken to a private hospital for treatment.
Witnesses said the police allegedly shot at the reporter even though she had a press card and jacket.
The second person was shot in the leg, while the third one had a gunshot in the back as the police engaged protesters in running battles.
