Protests turn violent in Kenya as activists demand President Ruto's resignation

After violent protests against a finance bill that included tax rises to pay off the nation's massive debt last week, another wave of protesters returned to Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, and other cities throughout the country on Tuesday (July 2).

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said that 361 people had been injuredand 24 people had died since the protests began two weeks earlier. The commission called the violence used against demonstrators "excessive and disproportionate."

President William Ruto is dealing with his worst crisis since assuming office in 2022.

In the midst of protests last week, the Parliament passed the finance bill. However, when in retaliation, demonstrators stormed into the Nairobi parliament building, police opened fire, killing over twenty people, according to rights groups.

Following the violence, Ruto demanded an investigation into the protestors' deaths and declared he would not sign the finance bill. However, it doesn't seem like such actions have placated the young protestors who are demanding that the president resign.

"We are determined to push for the president's resignation We hope for a peaceful protest and minimal casualties, if any," Ojango Omondi, an activist in Nairobi, told news agencyReuters on Tuesday.

Tuesday saw protests in Kisumu, Nakuru, Kajiado, Mombasa, Migori, Mlolongo, and Rongo, as well as reports of scattered violence.

The government will take action against those involved in the 'orgy of violence' and 'anarchic chaos and cruel plunder,' Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki warned.

"People are dying in the streets and the only thing he can talk about is money. We are not money. We are people. We are human beings. He needs to care about his people, because if he can't care about his people then we don't need him in that chair," protester Milan Waudo told Reuters in Mombasa.

(With inputs from agencies)