The police in Kenya have clashed with anti-government protesters in Nairobi on Tuesday as the opposition resumed anti-government protests after a hiatus.
The protesters, who stopped protests for a month after series of protests in March, came out early on Tuesday and set up barricades on major roads around the city. The protesters then threw stones at the police, who, in turn, responded with tear gas. The central business district was heavily affected by the protests as some shops closed due to heavy protest and a strong police deployment.
The protests began in March when the Kenyan opposition, led by Ralia Odinga, started to protest the high costs of living and they asked for reforms to the electoral commission which committed alleged fraud in the election that was conducted last year, where Odinga lost to President William Ruto. Odinga called off the protests during Ramadan so as to allow for peace talk with the government. However, he announced that the protests would resume, as he accused the government of not negotiating in good faith.
President Ruto warned the opposition supporters against destroying private property, and that he will not tolerate violent protesters. He has also asked Odinga to reconsider returning to negotiations. Odinga, however, has said that the protests will continue.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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