NAIROBI: At least one person was killed in anti-government protests in Kenya on Tuesday, as demonstrators clashed with police demanding the resignation of President William Ruto.
Nationwide protests started about a month ago against proposed tax hikes and continued even after Ruto withdrew the legislation and sacked almost all of his cabinet.
According to the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) at least 50 people have been killed in the protests till now.
In Kitengela town near the capital Nairobi, police opened fire on protesters who pelted stones, burned tyres and chanted slogans against Ruto.
Tuesday’s protests seemed to be the biggest since Ruto withdrew the tax increases on June 26. The protests are taking place in at least half a dozen towns and cities of the African state.
In Nairobi’s city centre, riot police fired tear gas at protesters. The protests have created the biggest crisis for Ruto.
As Kenya is spending over 30 percent of its revenues in paying the interest bills on its debt, it has been caught between the demands of lenders to reduce deficits and provide relief to the population reeling from rising living costs.
Ruto had announced talks this week to address issues raised by the protesters, but there was no sign they had begun. Most of the activists leading the protests have dismissed the invitation and instead sought immediate action on issues like corruption.
The protests started peacefully but turned violent later. Some demonstrators stormed parliament on June 25, and the police opened fire.
The KNCHR said in a statement on Tuesday states that in addition to the 50 deaths, 59 people have been abducted or are missing in connection with the demonstrations. Ruto has pledged to probe accusations of abuse but has defended the conduct of the police.
On Monday, he blamed the Ford Foundation, an American philanthropic organisation, for sponsoring those who had caused “violence and mayhem” in Kenya, without giving evidence.
The Ford Foundation dismissed the allegation, saying it did not fund or sponsor the protests.
