Protests Erupt Against High Living Costs and Alleged Electoral Fraud
Kenya has been caught up in widespread protests as people took to the streets to demonstrate against the rising cost of living and alleged electoral fraud. In the capital city of Nairobi, the protests were marked by violence as demonstrators pelted stones at police forces. Opposition leader Raila Odinga led the protests calling for action against high living costs and electoral fraud.
Violence Marks Protests Prompting Calls for Calm
Reports have emerged of clashes between protesters and police in different parts of the country. In Kisumu, gunshots were heard following anti-government protests, while a second death was reported during the demonstrations in other parts of the country. The chaos has prompted civic leaders to make pleas for calm, warning that the violence could lead to ethnically charged disputes.
Demonstrations Lead to Property Damage and Attacks on Journalists
The violent protests have seen several incidents of property damage, including attacks on property owned by opposition leader Raila Odinga’s family, a farm belonging to former president Uhuru Kenyatta, and a church and several businesses in Nairobi’s low-income Kibera district. There have also been reports of police attacking journalists during the demonstrations. The Kenya Editors’ Guild condemned the attacks, calling them unacceptable.
Government Defends Economic Record as Tensions Rise
The Kenyan government has defended its economic policies amid the growing unrest. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua called on protesters to stop and said that they should use ballots if they wanted change. Meanwhile, President William Ruto’s supporters accuse Odinga of using the anger over rising prices to press for political concessions.
Protesters Accuse Ruto’s Government of Mismanagement
The rise in living costs has hit Kenyans hard, with inflation of 9.2% year-on-year in February. The price of basic food items, such as maize flour, has increased considerably, adding to the burden of already struggling households. Protesters accuse Ruto’s government of mismanagement and say that the policies aligned with IMF and World Bank are causing further economic difficulty.
Communist Party of Kenya Calls for Nationalization of Land
The left-wing Communist Party of Kenya is calling for the nationalization of land and an end to the speculative real estate market. They are also advocating for mechanization of agriculture and industrialization for the people. The party asserts that state-owned enterprises are being mismanaged or stripped for public land by private companies, leading to further economic hardship for Kenyans.
Inter-Religious Council Urges Politicians to Cease Inflammatory Language
Amidst the tension, religious leaders have called for calm and urged politicians to cease using inflammatory language. The Inter-Religious Council of Kenya has called for dialogue between factions and warned that violence could quickly escalate into ethnic fighting.
Uncertainty Looms as Protests Continue
As the protests continue, there is a growing sense of uncertainty across the country. Protests have cost the country about $23 million per day, and with no clear resolution in sight, there is a growing sense of frustration among many Kenyans. Odinga has vowed to continue with protests until Ruto addresses high living costs, while Ruto has promised to safeguard lives and property and hold criminals accountable.
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