Dj Vnyash
Kenyan activists behind the anti-government protests are reconsidering their approach after Tuesday’s demonstrations were marred by violence and looting, which they worry could undermine their efforts to push President William Ruto to resign. The activists believe that the violence was caused by “goons” hired by politicians to discredit genuine protesters or further their own agendas. Some activists have taken to social media to call for the cancellation of the next planned demonstration on Thursday.
Ojango Omondi, an activist in Nairobi, told Reuters, “It appears the state has realized that using goons to incite violence, break into properties, loot, and tarnish our cause is their way to counter this movement. It’s time to rethink our strategy to overcome this violence and keep our protests focused on their true objectives.”
Kenya’s government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Interior Minister Kithure Kindike, in a statement on Tuesday, attributed the violence to “hordes of marauding criminal gangs” and claimed there was an attempt to “politicize crime.”
The initial protests last month against proposed tax hikes were largely peaceful, despite police using tear gas and water cannons on demonstrators. The mobilization of Kenyans around common economic demands marked a shift from previous protests, which were often organized by political figures with ethnic grievances.
However, the protests turned violent last week when some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament, leading to police opening fire and killing dozens. The next day, Ruto withdrew the tax increases, but protesters continued to issue demands, including anti-corruption measures and Ruto’s resignation.
On Tuesday, violence erupted almost immediately as stone-throwing youths clashed with police in Nairobi and other towns, and looters attacked businesses, prompting shop owners to arm themselves with sticks and clubs. Foi Wambui, a young actress, said she was heading home due to the chaos. “What has happened is that peaceful protesters are deterred from coming to town, and we are prevented from practicing our civic duties,” she told Reuters.
Ruto and the government have generally distinguished between peaceful protesters and those they label as criminals hijacking the demonstrations. However, their allies have used the violence to discredit the movement, known as Gen Z protests for its youthful following. Dennis Itumbi, a political consultant close to Ruto, posted a video of a group of young men robbing another man, sarcastically congratulating Gen Z for their “peaceful and democratic protests.”
Gerald Bitok, the communications director at the presidency, stated that young people were beginning to turn against the protests. “The Gen Zs and the young people of this country have made it clear that they will no longer be part of demonstrations now associated with terror,” he said on X.
During a public forum on X attended by over 400,000 people, a protest movement supporter said the movement bore some responsibility for the chaos by continuing to call for demonstrations after Ruto withdrew the tax hikes. Other speakers blamed the violence on paid goons but agreed that demonstrators should step back and call off Thursday’s protest. “We will have more casualties and will not achieve what we want,” said one speaker. “Let’s go back and strategize.”
Silverio Omari
