Kenyan court blocks police ban on protests

Demonstrations had been barred in the capital on Wednesday “to ensure public safety”

The Kenyan High Court has suspended the National Police Service’s directive banning protests in central Nairobi following deadly anti-government demonstrations.

Initially peaceful rallies have taken place against the now-scrapped Finance Bill, which would have raised taxes and the cost of living. On July 11, Kenyan President William Ruto also dismissed most of his cabinet. However, the protests escalated into violence and resulted in dozens of deaths.

Late Wednesday, Kenya’s acting police chief, Douglas Kanja, announced that no demonstrations would be permitted in Nairobi’s central business district and the surrounding areas “to ensure public safety.”

On Thursday, Nairobi High Court judge Bahati Mwamuye issued a ‘conservatory order’ to suspend the ban from being enforced until a final ruling on the case. The court scheduled another hearing for July 29.

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Earlier this week, police fired tear gas at anti-government protesters who continue to demand the resignation of Ruto, alleging corruption, poor governance, and the deaths of demonstrators at previous rallies.

One of the protesters told RT: “We are just saying stop corruption in the government… We want to clean Kenya.”

On June 25, some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament, leading to police opening fire. 

The government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported that at least 50 people have been killed so far in the general unrest, which has been going on for weeks.

According to the KNCHR, the protests have resulted in 413 injuries, 682 arbitrary detentions, and 59 abductions or disappearances.

Ruto, who had championed the Finance Bill as essential for securing IMF funding and preventing a debt default, said the government is now considering alternative measures, including budget cuts for his office.