Kenya’s police have prohibited protests in downtown Nairobi indefinitely, citing weeks of anti-government demonstrations that they allege have been infiltrated by organised criminal groups.
Youth-led protests against proposed tax increases have resulted in the deaths of at least 50 individuals across the country over the past month.
Despite Kenyan President William Ruto withdrawing the legislation and dismissing nearly all of his cabinet, the protests have persisted.
Activists are pressing for Ruto’s resignation while advocating for comprehensive reforms to combat corruption and rectify governance deficiencies.
Douglas Kanja Kiricho, the police chief, stated in a late Wednesday statement, “We possess reliable intelligence indicating that organised criminal organisations intend to exploit the current protests to carry out attacks, including looting.”
“To ensure public safety, no protests will be allowed in the Nairobi Central Business District and its environs until further notice.”
The demonstrations, organised online without apparent support from opposition political figures, have posed the enormous crisis of Ruto’s two-year tenure in power.
Ruto’s administration had scheduled “multi-sectoral” talks for this week to address the grievances of the protesters, but as of Thursday, there was no sign that they had begun.
The majority of the key figures leading the protests have refused the invitation, emphasising the necessity for urgent action on critical issues such as rampant corruption and economic disparities.
They underscore the need for concrete measures to tackle these longstanding grievances, rather than relying solely on discussions or meetings.
Certain activists issued calls for individuals to assemble with camping equipment at Uhuru Park, an adjacent recreational area near Nairobi’s city center.
A Reuters reporter observed a significant police presence in the city on Thursday morning.
Activist Boniface Mwangi stated on social media platform X that both the police and President Ruto lack the authority to suspend constitutional rights in response to the protest ban.