Police in Kenya fire tear gas at protesters as new Cabinet ministers are sworn in

(8 Aug 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nairobi - 8 August 2024
1. Various of protesters singing and blowing whistles
2. Various of protesters being dispersed by tear gas canisters exploding
3. Wide of ambulances
4. Various of tear gas canisters exploding
STORYLINE:
Kenyan police on Thursday fired tear gas at protesters in Nairobi calling for the president's resignation as a new Cabinet was being sworn in, the latest in the deadly turmoil that has gripped the East African nation over the summer.

Protests in Kenya first erupted in June, with initial calls for legislators to vote against a controversial finance bill that was proposing increased taxes amid high cost of living.

Antigovernment protesters stormed the parliament on June 25, drawing police fire after legislators voted to pass the bill.

More than 50 people have died since the demonstrations began, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights.

On Thursday, businesses in the city were closed and public transport vehicles remained out of the central business district.

Police also mounted roadblocks on major roads to Nairobi.

President William Ruto's office, where the new ministers were sworn in, also remained cordoned off.

The protests were organized by activists upset with Ruto even after he dismissed almost all of his ministers and added opposition members to what he called a “broad-based” government.

However, other major urban centers, including the lakeside city of Kisumu — an opposition stronghold that has previously witnessed protests — remained calm with some residents telling reporters they were not protesting because the opposition members had been incorporated into the new Cabinet.

AP video shot by Josephat Kasire

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