Kenya Anti-Government Clashes Escalate
By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
NAIROBI (Worthy News) – Police confronted protesters across Kenya and fired tear gas to disperse crowds demanding the resignation of President William Ruto.
The riots on what activists called “Total Shutdown Tuesday” was the latest challenge for Ruto, an evangelical Christian.
It also marked a spiritual battle for the 57-year-old president, five months after participating in a massive evangelism rally, or “crusade,” from Israeli-born Canadian-American evangelist Benny Hinn to “heal the nation.”
In controversial remarks, Hinn said Kenya is on the road to recovery and that every decision Ruto makes will succeed.
Hinn claimed there would be “no more losses in Kenya” while praying for Ruto and First Lady Rachael, who had been seen kneeling at his crusade atNyayo National Stadium in Nairobi in February.
Yet since then, at least 39 people have been killed in clashes with police since the protests began over tax reforms on June 18, according to a report by the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR).
On Tuesday, the unrest was characterized by clouds of tear gas, reports of gunshot wounds, and multiple injuries, especially in central Nairobi, the capital.
EPICENTER OF CHAOS
Nairobi’s Moi Avenue seemed to be the epicenter of the chaos, with several business owners armed with sticks standing guard outside their shops to prevent looting.
The youth-led protests many started with a protest over a draft law that would hike taxes and escalated into deadly clashes with police and calls for President Ruto to step down.
Yet even after he scrapped the controversial bill, fired his Cabinet, and cut public spending, their campaign continued.
Analysts say the unrest is being driven by widespread outrage over the state of the economy and widespread poverty in the African nation.
Reports of abductions and extrajudicial killings in Kenya have added to tensions in the East African nation of 58 million people. And as the smoke cleared by early Wednesday, the battles seemed far from over.
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