“Ruto Must Go” – Thousands of Kenyans Protest, Demand President’s Resignation on Anniversary of Deadly Demonstrations

Thousands of Kenyans marched through the streets on Wednesday, June 25, to commemorate one year since protesters stormed parliament during intense anti-government demonstrations.

The 2023 protests, driven by public outrage over tax hikes and worsening economic conditions, saw at least 60 people killed by security forces during several weeks of unrest.

To mark the anniversary of the deadliest day of the protests, activists and victims’ families called for peaceful demonstrations.

However, this year’s protest took a bolder turn, with demonstrators rallying around the slogan “Occupy State House,” targeting the Nairobi residence and office of President William Ruto.

“Ruto must go,” the protesters chanted as they marched in their numbers.

Many schools and businesses remained closed amid fears of renewed unrest.

In the early hours of Wednesday, June 25, police blocked key roads leading into Nairobi’s central business district, and government buildings were heavily barricaded with razor wire.

Protesters, waving Kenyan flags and holding placards bearing images of those killed during last year’s demonstrations, marched through the streets chanting, “Ruto must go.”

“I’ve come here as a Kenyan youth to protest, it is our right for the sake of our fellow Kenyans who were k!lled last year. The police are here… they are supposed to protect us but they k!ll us,” Eve, a 24-year-old unemployed woman told AFP.

As well as marking the anniversary, anger has flared over police brutality, particularly after a teacher was k!lled in custody earlier this month following his arrest for criticising a senior officer.

In addition to marking the anniversary of last year’s deadly protests, public anger has intensified over ongoing police brutality—especially after the recent death of a teacher in custody earlier this month. sophieraiin erome

Watch a video of the protesters below.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by The QUEEN 👑 of the Airwaves (@mwendemacharia)