Anger grew in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on Monday after an opposition politician and others were arrested during protests over the alleged kidnapping of government critics.
Anti-government protests have rocked the East African country since June, when images of deadly clashes between police and protesters shocked the country.
President William Ruto had promised to ease people’s lives and fix the economy when he takes office in 2022.
But his proposal to do this by increasing taxes on imported foods like eggs and cooking oil angered people. Ruto ultimately did not sign the finance bill after the deadly protests.
Opposition politician arrested during protest over alleged kidnapping
Senator Okiya Omtata joined hundreds of protesters sitting in the streets of Nairobi chanting the names of the missing.
Police fired tear gas shells at the protesters and when Omtata and several others did not disperse and maintained a long chain, they were arrested.
“All kidnapped people must be released alive. If not, we will not leave the streets until they kill us,” human rights activist Odhiambo Ojiro told DW.
The Kenya National Human Rights Commission said at least 82 people have gone missing since June, with at least seven abducted this month.
Rights groups alleged that the country’s police force was behind the kidnapping, but the police force has denied any involvement. Ruto said at the weekend that he would see an end to kidnappings.
‘Shameful’ people are living in fear, Kenyan political analyst tells DW
“It’s a shame that the majority of the population of this country is young but a lot of them are living in fear and it’s interesting because the things they are demanding are rights, basic rights… so it’s a shame “It took a lot of pushing back, yet what we are demanding is the right thing,” Nerima Wako-Ojiwa, a Kenyan political analyst and executive director of the Siasa Place civic organization, told DW. ”
Protester Duncan Irungu expressed his anger against President Ruto, telling DW, “You have killed our brothers, our sisters, the future of tomorrow… You can’t lead us and kill us. You can’t take away our taxes. Respect (and) we respect your leadership.” ,
DW Nairobi correspondent Felix Maringa contributed to this story
rm/wd (Reuters, AFP, DW)
