Nairobi Protests Are Prohibited by Kenyan Police

Kenyan police on Thursday declared an indefinite ban on protests in the nation’s capital, claiming a lack of leadership to guarantee orderly demonstrations.

The restriction was made public just hours before a protest was scheduled to take place later on Thursday. Protesters were to march to the president’s office and demand his resignation due to his mishandled policies.

The absence of leadership, according to a statement from acting police inspector general Douglas Kanja, has “made it difficult to enforce safety protocols.”

Following looting and arson during recent riots, companies are now calculating their damages.

Although there were no visible protestors on Thursday, the president’s office remained blocked by police on major thoroughfares.

Protests in Kenya have been ongoing for a month, beginning with calls for lawmakers to oppose a contentious budget measure that would have increased taxes in the face of soaring public debt and a crisis in the cost of living.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reports that since the protests started on June 18, at least 50 individuals have lost their lives.