Protests in Kenya Result in Devastating Losses for Businesses and Lives
At least 16 people have lost their lives during protests in Kenya, with thousands of businesses destroyed in the capital and beyond.
Amnesty International reported that at least 16 individuals lost their lives amidst the recent protests held across Kenya on Wednesday.
These demonstrations were initially organized to mark one year since anti-tax protests that previously led to significant unrest.
The anniversary marches began peacefully but quickly escalated into chaos, with participants engaging in violent confrontations with police, setting fires, and using pavements as projectiles.
The Kenyan government has condemned the violence, describing it as 'terrorism disguised as dissent.' According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a televised address, the protestors were not genuinely seeking change but rather inflicting harm upon civilians.
He stated that the violence, which included looting, sexual assault, and destruction of property, was completely unjustifiable.In Nairobi's business district, which served as the epicenter for this unrest, entire shopping centers were destroyed, along with thousands of businesses that still bore evidence of the fires they had endured.
Banks, supermarkets, electronics stores, and clothing shops all fell victim to looting and arson.
Business owners such as Raphael Omondi, a 36-year-old proprietor of a print shop, recounted the devastation in their establishments.
Machines worth $150,000 were destroyed in his case, after which the premises were set ablaze by looters.
Similarly, Maureen Chepkemoi, a 32-year-old owner of a perfume store, expressed disbelief at the extent of the damage wrought upon her business.Despite calls for peaceful protest, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
Government officials ordered television and radio stations to halt live broadcasts of the protests, which may have contributed to the exacerbation of violence as looting began in earnest shortly after.
The death toll climbed to 16 following an assessment by Amnesty International's Kenya director Irungu Houghton.
Rights group Vocal Africa corroborated this figure, emphasizing that all victims presented signs of gunshot wounds and condemning the excessive use of force by police authorities.
Protesters were particularly angry with President William Ruto, who rose to power in 2022 promising rapid economic progress but has failed to deliver on these promises.
Frustration abounds due to ongoing stagnation, allegations of corruption, high taxes, and incidents of police brutality, including the recent custodial death of a teacher.Emergency responders reported numerous cases of gunshot wounds, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that police may have initiated fire upon protestors - particularly in areas outside the capital.
The unrest affected at least 23 counties across Kenya, leaving hundreds injured - 83 of whom were treated for serious injuries.
These demonstrations were initially organized to mark one year since anti-tax protests that previously led to significant unrest.
The anniversary marches began peacefully but quickly escalated into chaos, with participants engaging in violent confrontations with police, setting fires, and using pavements as projectiles.
The Kenyan government has condemned the violence, describing it as 'terrorism disguised as dissent.' According to Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, in a televised address, the protestors were not genuinely seeking change but rather inflicting harm upon civilians.
He stated that the violence, which included looting, sexual assault, and destruction of property, was completely unjustifiable.In Nairobi's business district, which served as the epicenter for this unrest, entire shopping centers were destroyed, along with thousands of businesses that still bore evidence of the fires they had endured.
Banks, supermarkets, electronics stores, and clothing shops all fell victim to looting and arson.
Business owners such as Raphael Omondi, a 36-year-old proprietor of a print shop, recounted the devastation in their establishments.
Machines worth $150,000 were destroyed in his case, after which the premises were set ablaze by looters.
Similarly, Maureen Chepkemoi, a 32-year-old owner of a perfume store, expressed disbelief at the extent of the damage wrought upon her business.Despite calls for peaceful protest, the situation rapidly deteriorated.
Government officials ordered television and radio stations to halt live broadcasts of the protests, which may have contributed to the exacerbation of violence as looting began in earnest shortly after.
The death toll climbed to 16 following an assessment by Amnesty International's Kenya director Irungu Houghton.
Rights group Vocal Africa corroborated this figure, emphasizing that all victims presented signs of gunshot wounds and condemning the excessive use of force by police authorities.
Protesters were particularly angry with President William Ruto, who rose to power in 2022 promising rapid economic progress but has failed to deliver on these promises.
Frustration abounds due to ongoing stagnation, allegations of corruption, high taxes, and incidents of police brutality, including the recent custodial death of a teacher.Emergency responders reported numerous cases of gunshot wounds, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that police may have initiated fire upon protestors - particularly in areas outside the capital.
The unrest affected at least 23 counties across Kenya, leaving hundreds injured - 83 of whom were treated for serious injuries.
