Kenyan Government Braces Up Security Amid New Protest

In what seems to be wake up from slumber, Kenyan Government has toughened the country’s security as police patrolled the streets of the capital Nairobi on August 08, 2024.

Roadblocks were mounted on major arteries with several businesses shut ahead of planned new anti-government protests.

Kenya, recently, was on global screen after a two-week terrible protest initiated by young Gen-Z Kenyans against President William Ruto’s two-year-old bad leadership.

Kenyan acting police chief, however, cautioned against that criminal elements hijacking the protest and said people should not trespass on avoid “protected areas” such as the main international airport and State House, the president’s official residence.

According to the acting inspector general of police Gilbert Masengeli, police officers had been deployed to ensure efficient security output during and after the protest.

Masengeli also admonished the public to “take extra caution while in crowded areas that are likely to turn riotous, adding that while the rallies which began in June have become smaller in recent weeks, posters shared online called for fresh demonstrations, dubbed “Nane Nane” or Eight Eight in Swahili, to signify the date, August 8.

In his statement Wednesday, Masengeli warned about “criminals planning to infiltrate tomorrow’s Nane Nane demonstrations and commit further crimes”.

Recall that the organisers of the protests have in the past accused “goons” of hijacking their plans for peaceful action and of stoking violence.

It was reported that over 60 people have been killed since the protests began. They started out as peaceful rallies against controversial proposed tax hikes but have ballooned into wider action against Ruto and what many see as profligate government spending and corruption.

Meanwhile, as part of efforts to bridle the violence bedeviling his administration, Ruto has taken a series of measures to address public anger including scrapping the tax hikes, revamping his entire cabinet and making deep budget cuts.