Kenyan Opposition Holds Violent Protests, Clashes With Police

Hundreds of protesters supporting the Kenyan opposition have taken to the streets of Nairobi, the African country’s capital, triggering turmoil, clashes with riot police and burning tires.

Supporters of the opposition led by Raila Odinga, who got, according to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, 1.7% less votes than William Ruto during the 2022 presidential elections, called on Ruto to resign in response to the rising cost of living and allegations that he was fraudulently elected.

Police, in turn, reportedly used tear gas and water cannons to drive the crowd away and prevent it from reaching most of the designated meeting points in the central business district, which could led to more disturbance.

Police had received formal requests to hold two demonstrations just two days before the date, while public rallies normally require three days' notice. This resulted in the cancellation of the rallies "for public safety," Nairobi Police Chief Adamson Bungei explained, as cited by local media.

According to the local press, Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki warned in advance that anyone violating public order or disturbing the peace would face prosecution. However, the opposition leader Odinga insisted that the protests would be held as planned with the demonstrators marching to the president’s official residence.

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Protesters run from tear gas fired by police in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya Monday, March 20, 2023.

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A Kenyan Police officer removes stones that have been used to block a road following clashes with opposition supporters in Nairobi, Kenya on March 20, 2023.

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A protester runs away from water released by a police’s water cannon vehicle during a mass rally called by the opposition leader Raila Odinga who claims the last Kenyan presidential election was stolen from him and blames the government for the hike of living costs in Kibera, Nairobi on March 20, 2023.

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A protester shouts for flour to eat by hitting a pot during a mass rally called by the opposition leader Raila Odinga who claims the last Kenyan presidential election was stolen from him and blames the government for the hike of living costs in Kibera, Nairobi on March 20, 2023.

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A protester gestures towards police officers during a mass rally called by the opposition leader Raila Odinga who claims the last Kenyan presidential election was stolen from him and blames the government for the hike of living costs in Kibera, Nairobi on March 20, 2023.

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Protesters stumble as they flee from a police water cannon in the Eastleigh neighborhood of Nairobi, Kenya Monday, March 20, 2023.

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Police beat a protester who had hidden in a shack, after police threw a tear gas grenade inside to force him out, in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya Monday, March 20, 2023.

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A passerby walks next to a burning barricade in the Kibera slum of Nairobi, Kenya Monday, March 20, 2023.

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Opposition supporters carry stones and chant slogans demanding lower taxes and a reduced cost of living in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 20, 2023.

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Civilians returning from work are directed to a holding area to be checked by police before being allowed to continue to their homes, during protests in the Mathare slum of Nairobi, Kenya Monday, March 20, 2023.