Kenyan court suspends police ban on protests after continuing antigovernment demonstrations in the capital. The High Court ruled that citizens have a right to demonstrate peacefully, issuing a conservatory order to prevent the ban from being enforced. This decision came before a planned protest calling for the president’s resignation over poor governance.
The country has seen a month of protests related to a controversial finance bill proposing higher taxes amid economic challenges. At least 50 people have died during the protests, prompting President William Ruto to refuse signing the bill. The President dismissed his entire Cabinet and the attorney general in response to protester demands regarding corruption and incompetence within the government.
Businesses in Nairobi remained closed in anticipation of the planned protests, with heavy police presence in the central business district. The government estimated losses of 6 billion Kenyan shillings due to the demonstrations. The police have been accused of brutality against protesters, leading to the resignation of the former inspector general of police. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority has forwarded cases of police brutality to the director of public prosecutions for investigation.
The court ruling allowing protests to continue is seen as a victory for the right to demonstrate peacefully, despite the challenges faced by the government in maintaining safety and enforcing protocols during demonstrations. The upcoming hearing on the ban suspension will shed more light on the future of protests in the country.
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