SwedenLivingWorld world_2_fill WorldBusiness BusinessSports sports-soccer SportsEntertainmentEntertain

Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets Against Demonstrators – Again

Police confront demonstrators in Kenya's capital Nairobi with tear gas and rubber bullets, reports AFP. The protests are taking place despite President William Ruto's promise to withdraw the tax increase that caused the discontent.

» Updated: 16 July 2024, 14:32

» Published: 27 June 2024

Tear Gas and Rubber Bullets Against Demonstrators – Again
Photo: Brian Inganga/AP/TT

Police confront demonstrators in Kenya's capital Nairobi with tear gas and rubber bullets, reports AFP.

The protests are being carried out despite President William Ruto's promise to withdraw the tax increase that caused the discontent.

On Wednesday evening, William Ruto announced that he would not sign the disputed bill on tax increase and that it "will consequently be withdrawn".

The people have spoken, he said.

The statement was a major turnaround from his speech on Tuesday evening when he described some of the demonstrators as "criminals".

But the protests continue on Thursday, albeit on a smaller scale. The police have, according to AFP journalists on the spot, used tear gas and fired rubber bullets at groups of demonstrators in Nairobi's central business district.

"He must leave"

Roads leading to important government buildings, including the parliament, have been blocked by police in riot gear.

Cephas, a 24-year-old student who only gave his first name, told AFP that Ruto's decision came too late and that many no longer trust him:

It's not about the bill, but about him. We want him to leave his post.

He added that many demonstrators have chosen not to show up on Thursday "because they fear for their lives".

Unrest in several cities

Unrest with hundreds of demonstrators is also reported from the cities of Mombasa, Migori and Kisumu.

On Tuesday, at least 22 people were killed in connection with widespread protests in the country, according to information from the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). 19 of them were killed in Nairobi, where several thousand people, among other things, broke through police barricades and into the parliament building, which was set on fire. The military was deployed to help the police handle the situation. Live ammunition was fired at the crowd.

Tags
TTT
By TTThis article has been altered and translated by Sweden Herald

More news

Norway: Suspected spy worked at the US Embassy
1 MIN READ

Norway: Suspected spy worked at the US Embassy

Pistorius does not want to take over power from Scholz
1 MIN READ

Pistorius does not want to take over power from Scholz

40 People Killed in Attack in Pakistan
1 MIN READ

40 People Killed in Attack in Pakistan

Police Investigation: Prosecute Bolsonaro for Coup Attempt
1 MIN READ

Police Investigation: Prosecute Bolsonaro for Coup Attempt

Reports: North Korean General Injured in Ukraine
1 MIN READ

Reports: North Korean General Injured in Ukraine

Gaetz drops out after suspicions of buying sex
2 MIN READ

Gaetz drops out after suspicions of buying sex

USA imposes new sanctions on Russia
1 MIN READ

USA imposes new sanctions on Russia

Russia significantly increases defense budget
1 MIN READ

Russia significantly increases defense budget

Foreign Minister: Sweden Supports the ICC's Work
2 MIN READ

Foreign Minister: Sweden Supports the ICC's Work

Expert: ICC decision puts Germany in a difficult situation
2 MIN READ

Expert: ICC decision puts Germany in a difficult situation

ICC: Netanyahu and Gallant guilty of war crimes
3 MIN READ

ICC: Netanyahu and Gallant guilty of war crimes

Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault
2 MIN READ

Trump's choice of minister investigated for assault

Kristersson on the attack: Trying to intimidate the West
2 MIN READ

Kristersson on the attack: Trying to intimidate the West

Mette-Marit's Son Will Not Appeal Detention Order
1 MIN READ

Mette-Marit's Son Will Not Appeal Detention Order

Expert: We are not closer to a nuclear war
2 MIN READ

Expert: We are not closer to a nuclear war

Half a Billion to Ukraine's Defense Industry
1 MIN READ

Half a Billion to Ukraine's Defense Industry

Putin: Tested new medium-range missile
3 MIN READ

Putin: Tested new medium-range missile

Death toll soars after bombing of Palmyra
1 MIN READ

Death toll soars after bombing of Palmyra

Three arrested – would have murdered Israeli minister
2 MIN READ

Three arrested – would have murdered Israeli minister

Five arrested for terrorist offenses in Finland
1 MIN READ

Five arrested for terrorist offenses in Finland