While Protesters Demand That Ruto Step Down, Police Use Tear Gas

On Tuesday, July 16, Kenyan police broke up protesters to keep the pressure on President William Ruto to resign with tear gas. Even after Ruto made some adjustments, the demonstrations still go on.

Protesters, who were incensed about the proposed tax increases, called for a nationwide “shutdown” on Tuesday. The largest obstacle to Ruto’s two-year presidency has grown to be these protests. Protests continued, albeit with fewer participants, even after Ruto reversed $2.7 billion in tax hikes and removed the majority of his government.

Ruto is being forced to step down by protestors who hold him accountable for mismanagement, wrongdoing, and demonstrator fatalities during past demonstrations. In Kitengela, close to Nairobi, police used tear gas on Tuesday while roughly 200 protestors burnt tires and shouted anti-Ruto slogans. Tear gas was also used on protestors in Mombasa and the downtown area of Nairobi.

Although Ruto had announced negotiations to address the concerns of the protestors, the talks have not yet begun. Since they want urgent action on corruption and other issues, many activists have declined to take part in the event.

The spokeswoman for Ruto remained silent about the circumstances.