Kenya protests: Tear gas fired as justice demanded for those killed by police

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By Basillioh Rukanga, BBC Information, Nairobi

Clouds of tear gasoline could be see in downtown Nairobi

Reuters A man holds up a flag of Kenya as police use teargas to disperse protesters during a demonstration over police killings of people protesting against the imposition of tax hikes by the government in Nairobi, Kenya - 2 July 2024 — Clouds of tear gasoline could be see in downtown Nairobi

Kenyan police have fired tear within the capital, Nairobi, to disperse anti-government protests.

Within the metropolis centre many companies have remained closed. Demonstrators have additionally taken to the streets of different cities together with Mombasa and Kisumu.

Human rights teams say for the reason that protests towards a controversial finance invoice started two weeks in the past 39 folks have been killed by safety forces.

President William Ruto has since dropped the proposed tax will increase – however the demonstrations have morphed into requires him to resign and anger over police brutality.

Vehicles could be seen burning amid chaotic scenes in Mombasa as protesters conflict with police.

The clashes in Nairobi have compelled magistrates to place off hearings at a court docket within the metropolis, the Day by day Nation newspaper report.

The state-funded Kenya Nationwide Fee on Human Rights (KNCHR) says most protesters have been killed final Tuesday when MPs voted to move the invoice.

Seventeen folks had died in Nairobi and 22 others killed in different components of the nation, it mentioned in an announcement on Monday night.

There had additionally been 361 accidents, 32 circumstances of “enforced or involuntary disappearances” and 627 arrests, it mentioned.

On Sunday, the police put the demise toll at 19. Earlier, Amnesty Worldwide had mentioned 24 protesters had died.

Kenyan police have been accused of brutally responding to the protests

AFP Commemoration held for people who lost their lives in the clashes that broke out across the country — Kenyan police have been accused of brutally responding to the protests

KNCHR condemned “within the strongest phrases potential the unwarranted violence and pressure that was inflicted on protesters, medical personnel, attorneys, journalists and on protected areas corresponding to church buildings medical emergency centres and ambulances”.

It mentioned the pressure used towards the protesters “was extreme and disproportionate”.

President Ruto mentioned the police had “executed their finest they might” whereas talking at a roundtable interview with journalists on Sunday.

He added that “if there have been any excesses” they might be addressed via “present mechanisms”.