Kenyan Police Fire Tear Gas at Protesters Amid Rising Casualty Numbers

In recent events in Kenya, police have deployed tear gas in Nairobi to deter anti-government protests, with activists placing empty coffins in front of riot police to protest against the excessive use of force. Demonstrations have also unfolded in other major cities including Mombasa and Kisumu. These protests were initially sparked by proposed new taxes, which President William Ruto has since decided to retract. However, the unrest has led to a reported 39 deaths over two weeks, a figure that has been updated to 41, according to the Kenya Medical Association. The protests, lacking a unified leadership, continue to highlight issues of corruption and excessive spending by the political elite, despite the withdrawal of the tax bill.

• Police in Nairobi used tear gas to prevent anti-government protests.
• Activists placed empty coffins in front of riot police to protest against excessive use of force.
• Demonstrations occurred in multiple cities, including Mombasa and Kisumu.
• President William Ruto decided to retract plans for new taxes which had sparked the protests.
• The death toll from the clashes has risen to 41, with 413 injured, according to the Kenya Medical Association.
• The protests have led to 55 arrests and 35 reported abductions.
• The youth-led movement against the tax bill and broader issues lacks a formal structure but continues to seek change.
• Kenya Medical Association reports seeing young people with gunshot wounds, injuries from tear gas canisters, rubber bullets, and falls or stampedes.
• The protests have fundamentally changed Kenyan politics, with restrictions now on politicians making speeches in churches and at funerals.
• Despite the withdrawal of the tax legislation, violence has persisted, raising questions about empathy and accountability from the government.

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