Source: Agenzia Fides – MIL OSI
Wednesday, 9 July 2025
Internet
Nairobi (Agenzia Fides) – Yesterday, Tuesday, July 8, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) recorded a total of 31 deaths and 107 injuries in the demonstrations that took place on July 7 on the anniversary of “Saba Saba Day,” the mass demonstration that called for a return to multi-party democracy in 1990 after years of authoritarian rule by then-President Daniel arap Moi. Police forces attempted to intimidate demonstrators in various parts of the country, especially in the capital, Nairobi. Following the protests against a new tax law last year, young Kenyans, in particular, once again took to the streets to demand better governance.According to local press, protests also included police brutality and corruption, and calls for the resignation of President William Ruto.Trans Nzoia Governor George Natembeya said the government had turned a deaf ear to Kenyans’ demands and protected itself through the excessive use of police force. He criticized President William Ruto’s administration, accusing it of being driven by commercial interests, and called for an end to what he described as deep-rooted conflicts of interest at the highest levels of government.”We have done a great injustice to this country,” Natembeya said. “We should not be where we are now, with unemployment at almost 60 percent. The chances of living a life without work in Kenya are very real,” he said after the bloody protests. “And that’s what the young people are talking about. We take it very lightly and think we’re safe because we’re leaders.”In recent months, the Bishop of Eldoret, Dominic Kimengich, has also denounced the alarming extent of corruption in the country (see Fides, 16/4/2025) (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 9/7/2025)
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