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The number of those who died in Kenya on Wednesday in protests about the high cost of living Thursday rose from six to 13, according to a human rights organization.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) said 10 people were killed by police, including a minor, while three people died in intercommunal violence caused by the protests in the west of the country.
The KHRC said it is investigating reports that the police failed to intervene in the intercommunal clashes, Davis Malombe, who heads the commission, said.
Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said 312 people, including an opposition MP, were arrested during the demonstrations and will be charged.
“Security officers are directed to enforce the law firmly and decisively and deal with all criminals, including economic saboteurs, looters and vandals who are destroying public and private property,” the minister said in a statement.
Mavoko Member of Parliament Patrick Makau was Thursday arrested in relation to the anti-government protests witnessed along Mombasa Road, Nairobi. Makau was arrested in the wee hours of Thursday at his home in Karen, Nairobi.
Kindiki also expressed the government’s intention to arrest opposition leaders Raila Odinga and Martha Karua, who called for the demonstrations.
Primary school kids teargassed
During the protests Wednesday, over 50 children were rushed to hospital in Nairobi after tear gas was thrown into their class by police. Dr Aron Shikuku from Eagle Nursing Home hospital told the local media that the children were released after being treated.
The protests had been banned, but people took to the streets protesting the rising cost of living and a new finance act – which includes tax increases. The controversial hikes include the doubling of fuel taxes and the imposition of a 1.5% levy on all employees to fund new houses.
The government says the hikes are essential to pay off debts and create job opportunities for young people but the law has been suspended by a court over constitutional concerns.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who was defeated by President Ruto in last year’s election, has been pressing the government to reverse the tax hikes, calling for civil disobedience last month and describing those who want to implement the finance bill as “traitors”.
Earlier on Tuesday, Police chief Japhet Koome said that “all lawful means” would be used to disperse the demonstrations.
Kenyans are divided over the protests, with some backing them, saying the high cost of living is unsustainable. Others are against the protest, arguing they disrupt their businesses and bring them losses.
Nairobi Expressway vandalised
At Mlolongo along Mombasa Road demonstrators blocked the main highway Wednesday and vandalised metal grills separating the Expressway. Motorists were forced to make quick u-turns on both sides after protesters started stoning them damaging several cars.
“The damages done on the expressway for that short period of time could be anything up to $5 million and if it reaches that level, then under the agreement with Moja Expressway and the people running this infrastructure, it is the same taxpayers we are being told want to reduce the cost of living, who within 28 days must pay that money as a result of the lawlessness and the impact caused by this mass action,” said Kipchumba Murkomen, the Cabinet Secretary for Transport.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, Kindiki said all those who took part, directly or indirectly in the well-orchestrated violation of public safety and security will be punished.
“The Government has tonight mobilised all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders,” Kindiki said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday evening, Kindiki said all those who took part, directly or indirectly in the well-orchestrated violation of public safety and security will be punished.
“The Government has tonight mobilised all the law enforcement agencies of the State and the institutions of our country’s criminal justice system to conclude investigations urgently and proceed to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in the planning and execution of the crimes committed today, including those who funded or otherwise aided or abetted the offenders,” Kindiki said.
Ex-governor Oparanya arrested by DCI
Thursday evening, former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya was arrested and later released after being questioned by the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Kakamega.
Oparanya, who was grilled for about two hours at the Kakamega police headquarters before being let go, said that the DCI detectives forced him to record a statement for causing chaos and destruction of property during Wednesday’s anti-government protests in Busia.
“A friend of mine from Bungoma had invited me for dinner. When I was heading there my vehicle was waylaid by three cars whose occupants were armed,” Oparanya told the press after his release.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi Thursday said the government will not be intimidated into submission by the ongoing anti-government demonstrations by the Azimio One Kenya Coalition.
Mudavadi said the Opposition is not sincere in their quest to seek a lowering of the cost of living but instead is pushing to have their way into government by way of ‘nusu mkate’ arrangement.
“They are using the Finance Act as a reason but they have not accepted that they democratically lost the election,” he said.
“It is just violence. When you vandalize the expressway which has been constructed through debt, who do you expect to pay for it? It is pure economic sabotage by people who were in government,” stated Mudavadi.
Mudavadi said the delay that has been caused to implement the Finance Act 2023 is making the country lose over Ksh.600 million every day.
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has termed as “shameful” Wednesday’s protests by Azimio.
Speaking in Nairobi on Thursday during the launch of a Parliamentary Conservation and Climate Change Caucus, Gachagua regretted the loss of lives and damage to property in the violent demonstrations that rocked various parts of the country.
“I don’t want to talk much about what happened… It is a shame and does not deserve my comment,” he said.
Despite the backlash from the government, Azimio has vowed to resume the protests next week on Wednesday. “Our protests will resume on Wednesday, July 19, 2023. In the meantime we proceed with the collection of signatures against Ruto on both digital and manual platforms,” said Wamalwa.
On the collection of signatures, the coalition accused the Communications Authority of Kenya of trying to cripple their digital signature collection platform.
“We notice the Communications Authority has joined the war against Kenyans by trying to cripple our digital signature collection platform but we will fight and soldier on while we put CA on notice. We know the KK(Kenya Kwanza) regime has panicked and they are trying to block this process.”
“There is no turning back, we see you on Wednesday,” added Wamalwa.
President Ruto vows to stop Odinga
President William Ruto Friday vowed not to allow Odinga use the blood of Kenyans to seek power.
Speaking in Naivasha on Friday, Ruto said he will use all means to stop the Opposition leader.
“Raila Odinga, I won’t allow you to seek power on the back of the blood of Kenyans. I will stop you,” he said.
“You can’t use extra-constitutional means to get power. You want to use violence to get into government; it won’t happen,” he added.
“No demonstration is going to take place on Wednesday. It is not possible, this man (Raila Odinga)has brought chaos to this country which has led to many deaths. He kept on interfering with Mwai Kibaki’s administration, Uhuru Kenyatta’s and now the other day he led protests and properties were destroyed. That path that you are taking, I want to assure you that I am going to take you on and I will not allow it to happen,” Ruto said.
UN faults the Kenyan police, calls for dialogue
Friday the UN Human Rights Office said it is: “Very concerned by the widespread violence, and allegations of unnecessary or disproportionate use of force, including the use of firearms, by police during protests in Kenya.”
“We call for prompt, thorough, independent and transparent investigations into the deaths and injuries. Those responsible must be held to account. Effective measures to prevent further deaths and injuries must be adopted,” added the message by the UN Human Rights Office, spokesperson Jeremy Laurence.
“In light of calls for further protests next week, we call on the authorities to ensure the right to peaceful assembly as guaranteed by the Kenyan Constitution and international human rights law. The policing of protests must seek to facilitate peaceful assemblies, and any use of force must be guided by the principles of legality, necessity, proportionality and non-discrimination. Firearms should never be used to disperse protests.
“We appeal for calm and encourage open dialogue to address social, economic and political grievances, with the aim of identifying lasting solutions in the interests of all Kenyans,” the message read.
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