Kenyan riot police clash with anti-government protesters in Nairobi
2 May 2023, 13:44
The opposition is calling for action to tackle the cost of living and for reforms to the electoral commission.
Police in Kenya have clashed with anti-government protesters in the capital Nairobi during a fresh round of demonstrations called by the opposition leader.
Opposition lawmakers marched to the president’s office, in the central business district, to present a petition. Police dispersed them with tear gas.
Deputy president Rigathi Gachagu “told us we know where to find them. We do. We went there and instead met police. Cowards!” Senator Edwin Sifuna, who represents Nairobi County, said.
Protesters who turned up in the morning to erect barricades on major roads around the city threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas. A bus and a lorry were torched.
Business was paralysed in Kisumu County, an opposition stronghold, as police clashed with protesters.
The opposition is calling for action to tackle the cost of living and reforms to the electoral commission that oversaw the election won by President William Ruto last year.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga, a former prime minister of Kenya, rejected the government’s position that Tuesday’s protests were illegal and urged his supporters to turn up in large numbers.
The police chief had banned the protests, citing previous protest violence that led to businesses being looted and Kenyans being robbed.
Mr Odinga said the protests would be peaceful.
On Monday, Mr Ruto warned opposition supporters against destroying private property. He urged Mr Odinga to reconsider returning to talks.
Mr Odinga had called off protests during Ramadan to pave the way for the talks proposed by Mr Ruto. Both the opposition and the ruling party nominated politicians to take part in the discussions but the opposition rejected some of those nominated by the ruling party.
The talks have since halted and the opposition announced that it would resume street protests.
