Kenyan police clash with anti-government protesters
Police in Kenya have clashed with anti-government protesters in the capital, Nairobi
Kenyan police clash with anti-government protesters
Show all 12Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Police in Kenya clashed with anti-government protesters Tuesday in the capital, Nairobi, during a fresh round of demonstrations called by the opposition leader.
Opposition lawmakers marched to the president's office, in the central business district, to present a petition. Police dispersed them with tear gas.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagu “told us we know where to find them. We do. We went there and instead met police. Cowards!” Sen. Edwin Sifuna, who represents Nairobi County, said.
Protesters who turned up in the morning to erect barricades on major roads around the city threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas. A bus and a cargo truck were torched.
Business was paralyzed in Kisumu County, an opposition stronghold, as police clashed with protesters.
The opposition is calling for action to tackle the cost of living and reforms to the electoral commission that oversaw the election won by President William Ruto last year.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya, rejected the government’s position that Tuesday's protests were illegal and urged his supporters to turn up in large numbers.
The police chief had banned the protests, citing previous protest violence that led to businesses being looted and Kenyans being robbed.
Odinga said the protests would be peaceful.
Ruto on Monday warned opposition supporters against destroying private property. He urged Odinga to reconsider returning to talks.
Odinga had called off protests during Ramadan to pave the way for the talks proposed by Ruto. Both the opposition and the ruling party nominated politicians to take part in the discussions, but the opposition rejected some of those nominated by the ruling party.
The talks have since halted, and the opposition announced that it would resume street protests.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.