Chaos in Nairobi streets, three shot in counties

Protesters confront police officers during the anti-government protest along Moi Avenue, Nairobi on July 16, 2024. [Boniface Okendo, Standard]

Business activities in Nairobi's Central Business District were paralysed yesterday due to violent anti-government demonstrations. Business activities in Nairobi's Central Business District were paralysed yesterday due to violent anti-government demonstrations.

As Nairobi came to a standstill, at least three people were shot dead in separate incidents as police clashed with protesters in Kibwezi and Kitengela towns in Makueni and Kajiado counties.

In Kitengela, a middle-aged man died after being shot in the head. He was among hundreds of youths protesting the discovery of female body parts in Mukuru Kwa Njenga.

Scores of others were injured during the day-long confrontations. Kitengela turned into a battleground, making the Nairobi-Namaga road, which connects Kenya and Tanzania, impassable.

All businesses along the busy highway were shut down. At one point, protesters commandeered a police vehicle, causing panic in the town.

Officers from Kitengela Police Station, led by David Ole Shaani, were overwhelmed but later reinforced by the General Service Unit and Prisons counterparts.

Tourists heading to Amboseli National Park were stranded for hours, and some canceled their trips due to the violent protests. Nearby schools sent students home as the riots escalated.

People interviewed by The Standard said they wanted President William Ruto to resign, claiming he had failed to provide proper leadership for the country.

"President Ruto has shown that he is not able to govern this country. We are fed up with his lies," said John Ole Sapalan, a resident of Kitengela town.

In Nairobi, anti-riot police clashed with mainly Gen Z and Millennial protesters, leading to the closure of several businesses.

Tensions were high as a few individuals guarded their business premises. By midday, the few shops that had opened began to close as anxiety mounted. Protesters, becoming more confrontational, played a cat-and-mouse game with the police.

Officers responded with teargas to disperse the growing crowds, turning the once vibrant streets into a battleground. By afternoon, the city centre was largely deserted, with only a few civilians caught in the chaos.

The protests, initially sparked by opposition to this year's Finance Bill, have grown into a broader movement called 'Total Shutdown', with demands for a complete government overhaul.

Chanting slogans like 'Ruto Must Go', the agitated crowds insisted they won't relent until their demands are met. They said they are fighting for their rights, and felt ignored by the government.

"I can't stay home while my fellow youths are on the streets. We are all obliged to fight for what is rightfully ours," said one protester.

Another protester, Steve June, expressed his frustration, saying, "We are sick of this government. We are telling President Ruto to resign because it is clear he cannot lead. We will not tire of coming out to show him that he should go home with his entire administration."

As the day progressed, the situation in the city turned increasingly chaotic. Several protesters were left nursing wounds from the clashes.

Gravity of the situation

National youth leader Kimori Evans addressed the crowd, highlighting the gravity of the situation.

"Without respect for the right to life, no other human right can be upheld. Even if the police are the carriers and custodians of the guns, they must respect the rule of law and abide by it. Extra-judicial killing is a dangerous and sick mentality, and the citizens are tired of reminding the state of the same criminality," he stated.

"The administration's unpopularity is at an all-time high. We need systemic reform, not just promises that are never fulfilled," said Rachael Tabitha.

The economic impact of the protests has been huge with traders suffering huge losses due to frequent closures and vandalism.

Many business owners expressed their fear and frustration. "Every day, we close our shops because we don't know what will happen. We are losing money, and the government is not helping us," one shop owner lamented.

In Kibwezi, Makueni County, two protesters were shot dead as police battled rowdy youths along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway. Police picked the two victims and rushed them to the Kibwezi sub-county hospital where they were pronounced dead on arrival.

Following the incident, the angry protesters stormed the hospital, collected the bodies and took them back to the police station.

In Emali town, a high school student who was caught up in the fracas sustained serious injury from a rubber bullet as a police officer was also injured by a mob angry that he was recording the unfolding protests on his mobile phone.

The youthful protesters claimed they did not see any meaningful commitment by President Ruto to address the challenges raised by Gen Zs, while others accused Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Junior of sneaking an oppressive Finance Bill in the County Assembly.

Machakos town experienced uneasy calm in the morning hours before turning into a battleground in the afternoon. Police in full combat gear engaged protesters who advanced toward the Machakos town centre from the downtown areas of Mjini and Grogan.

Nearly all businesses were closed as owners feared a repeat of the last demonstrations where looters made away with property of unknown value.

[Report by Okumu Modachi, Bernard Mogaka, Peterson Githaiga, Erastus Mulwa and Stephen Nzioka]