NAIROBI – Kenyan authorities escalated efforts to quell weeks of anti-government demonstrations on Thursday, banning protests in central Nairobi and accusing criminal gangs of hijacking the movement.
The move comes as tensions simmer following a month of youth-led rallies against proposed tax hikes. Despite President William Ruto withdrawing the legislation and dismissing most of his cabinet, protests have continued, demanding his resignation and broader reforms to tackle corruption and poor governance.
Officials estimate the demonstrations have cost Kenya roughly 6 billion shillings ($46 million), though details on how this figure was calculated remain unclear.
“The President and the government have heard your concerns loud and clear and are ready to act,” government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura said in a televised address. Notably, these protests have been organized online with minimal involvement from established opposition figures, posing a unique challenge to Ruto’s two-year presidency.
Citing credible intelligence of criminal infiltration, police chief Douglas Kanja Kiricho announced a ban on all demonstrations in Nairobi’s central business district “until further notice to ensure public safety.”
In a last-ditch effort to quell discontent, Ruto recently proposed forming a broad-based government. However, the opposition swiftly rejected this offer, advocating instead for a national constitutional convention.
The initially peaceful rallies have seen a rise in violence. In late June, protestors stormed parliament briefly, prompting police to open fire. While Ruto’s office planned talks this week to address grievances, there’s no indication they’ve begun. Most protest leaders have refused to participate, demanding immediate action on corruption and other pressing issues.
Activist Boniface Mwangi challenged the protest ban on social media, arguing authorities lack the power to suspend constitutional rights.
Meanwhile, the Communications Authority of Kenya (CA) has cautioned media outlets against inciting violence in their coverage, fearing it could spark widespread unrest. In a letter obtained by Reuters, CA chief David Mugonyi accused some media outlets of compromising “objectivity and balance” in their reporting.
