Nairobi, Kenya - August 08, 2024

Anti-government protests returned to the streets in Kenya on Thursday, clashing with security officers who used teargas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters.

The conflict has resulted in injuries and more than 170 arrests so far.

In the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, normal business was disrupted in the central business district as shops remained closed, and office workers avoided the area.

Public transport was largely halted as minibus operators, known as matatus, withdrew their vehicles for safety reasons.

Protests also occurred in towns such as Karatina in central Kenya and Machakos in the southern part of the country, covering six of Kenya's 47 counties.

The anti-government demonstrations are a continuation of previous ones that was sparked by the Finance Bill 2024, which aimed to raise an additional 346.7 billion Kenyan shillings (about 2.7 billion U.S. dollars) through new taxes.

The bill, which has since been withdrawn, included provisions that would increase taxes on essential goods and services, such as bread, and on mobile money transfers.

Led by young protesters, the demonstrations initially focused on the tax increases but evolved to address broader issues of governance and government spending. Clashes between the protesters and the police have caused over 50 people deaths with 400 others injured.

In response to the widespread public outcry, President William Ruto dissolved his Cabinet in mid-July. He then included opposition members in his newly reconstituted Cabinet, which he swore into office on Thursday morning in Nairobi.

He now appeals to Kenyans to allow the new Cabinet members the opportunity to fulfill their roles and address the concerns that fueled the unrest.

Shotlist:
Nairobi, Kenya - Aug 8, 2024:
1. Various of protesters;
2. Police car;
3. Various of closed stores;
4. Various of pedestrians.

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