- Over 270 arrested for inciting violence
- The arrests follow protests sparked by a controversial finance bill
- Demonstrators continue to demand President Ruto's resignation
Kenyan police have apprehended more than 270 individuals accused of inciting violence during recent anti-government demonstrations across the country.
The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) reported that security forces identified suspects allegedly involved in criminal acts disguised as protests and swiftly placed them under arrest. In Nairobi, 204 individuals were detained, with an additional 68 apprehended in other regions.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki condemned the unrest as “an orgy of violence,” pledging government action against those perpetrating “anarchic chaos and cruel plunder.” The protests initially sparked over a controversial finance bill were marked by clashes resulting in fatalities and injuries, triggering widespread outrage.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) documented 39 fatalities and 361 injuries over two weeks of rallies, denouncing the use of excessive force against demonstrators. Despite President William Ruto retracting the contentious bill, demonstrators continued to demand his resignation, rejecting calls for dialogue.
Critics accused the government of deploying infiltrators to disrupt protests, urging dispersal of further demonstrations planned for the coming days.
