Ruto bullish stance makes political settlement hard
An opposition supporter throws a teargas canister fired by anti-riot police during clashes with Kenya Police Officers on the third day of anti-government protests in Nairobi, Kenya on July 21, 2023. PHOTO | LUIS TATO | AFP
Kenyan police this week unleashed deadly force on protesters to contain the latest wave of social unrest in the country over the high cost of living and unpopular taxes, drawing praise from President William Ruto and condemnation from human rights organisations.
The President, whose 10-month-old administration had looked shaken by the previous anti-government demonstrations, said on Thursday the police had ‘professionally’ handled the situation despite video footage of presumed security officers in plain clothes executing a protester or teargassing slum families inside their homes.
