Kenya Erupts in Protests: Growing Demands for Presidential Resignation

In Kenya’s capital and beyond, protests surged on Tuesday against a finance bill poised to spike living costs, despite the president’s vow not to sign it following last week’s parliamentary unrest.

Police unleashed tear gas on demonstrators in Nairobi, where businesses shut their doors fearing plunder. The main artery to Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest hub, was blocked by bonfire-igniting protesters.

In Mombasa, protestors torched five vehicles near a hotel, whose owner allegedly fired at looters.

Concerns loom that President William Ruto might backtrack and endorse the finance bill before next week’s cut-off. Meanwhile, some demonstrators demand Ruto’s resignation, accusing him of poor leadership.

However, some youth protest leaders worry unrest is being exploited to incite violence. “Goons have infiltrated,” one organizer, Hanifa Farsafi, posted on X.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki said Tuesday that “criminals” are exploiting planned protests to wreak havoc and intimidate Kenyans. He forewarned more violence on Thursday and Sunday, declaring the government’s resolve to curb it at “whatever cost”.

Last week’s unrest turned fatal as police opened fire. The two-week turmoil has claimed 39 lives according to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, though Ruto places the number at 19.

The president has offered to engage in dialogue with Kenyan youth and pledged to slash budget allocations for travel and hospitality in line with some protester demands. Amid high unemployment and rising prices, anger mounts over the opulent lifestyles of the president and top officials.

Members of the young, leaderless protest movement express distrust in the president’s new austerity promises.

Kenya’s main opposition party on Tuesday demanded Ruto’s administration take responsibility for last week’s fatalities.

Economist Ken Gichinga told The Associated Press the government should rethink tax reforms to foster economic growth.

“The Gen Zs feel the brunt of unemployment,” Gichinga noted.

Kenya National Human Rights Commission chair Roseline Odede informed the media the protests have been infiltrated, shifting demographics and turning violent.