The nationwide cost-of-living protests that commenced on Wednesday, has led to the shut down of schools in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and the coastal town of Mombasa indefinitely.
This measure has been taken to ensure the safety of students and to mitigate any potential disruptions caused by the ongoing demonstrations.
The protests, which began last week and turned violent, tragically claimed the lives of at least 14 individuals. In light of these events, the decision to shut down schools aims to prevent further casualties and maintain a secure environment for the students.
“The government has received credible security intelligence that criminal elements planning to unleash terror and violence on the public [on Wednesday] intend to engage in armed skirmishes with security agencies around certain schools within Nairobi and Mombasa counties,” the interior ministry said.
Bonfires lit on various roads in Kisumu as demonstrations begin on Wednesday, July 19.
— TheStarKenya (@TheStarKenya) July 19, 2023
📸 Faith Matete#MaandamanoWednesdayToFriday pic.twitter.com/udw4k0W3o4
Despite the rejection by the high court on Monday of a request to declare the anti-tax hike protests illegal, Police Chief Japheth Koome has declared them illegal. The conflicting statements create ambiguity regarding the legality of the protests.
Tragically, during similar protests last Wednesday, at least 10 people were shot by the police. Additionally, over 50 schoolchildren in Nairobi were subjected to tear gas while inside their classrooms, resulting in their unconscious state and subsequent hospitalization.
STATE OF THE NATION:#MaandamanoWednesdayToFriday
— WANGARI_CFC 🇰🇪✝️ (@LordessJohjoh) July 19, 2023
Raia 5 – Kenya police 0
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 pic.twitter.com/SEJJQixbbm
There have been reports of the police firing tear gas canisters at protesters in various neighborhoods around Nairobi. In western Kenya, protesters armed with crude weapons have resorted to barricading roads and extorting money from road users.
The excessive use of force by the police has drawn strong criticism from human rights organizations, who condemn their actions.
Both local and international groups, as well as foreign diplomats, have expressed deep concerns regarding the situation in Kenya. They have called for dialogue as a means to address the underlying issues that have sparked these protests.