In a shocking escalation of violence in Kenya, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kip Chumba Murkomen has authorized police to shoot at protesters during ongoing anti-government demonstrations. This alarming directive follows a day of unrest that left several injured and at least one person dead from gunshot wounds. Murkomen’s incendiary remarks, urging police to “shoot anyone who attempts to go to a police station to attack,” have sparked outrage across the nation, igniting fears of further violence.
The protests erupted as Kenyans expressed their frustration over rising taxes, rampant corruption, and calls for President William Ruto’s resignation. Demonstrators took to the streets demanding accountability and reform, but their peaceful gatherings quickly devolved into chaos, with police stations attacked and shops vandalized. Eyewitnesses report that while the city appears calm now, the anger simmering beneath the surface is palpable, with many feeling unheard by their government.
Rights advocates accuse politicians of inciting violence by employing criminal gangs to instigate chaos, transforming legitimate protests into scenes of disorder. “When you turn rights into crime, that is the beginning of anarchy in the country,” warned one activist, highlighting the dangerous precedent set by the government’s response.
As tensions remain high, the government insists that the protests have been politicized, but the voices of the people grow louder, demanding real change. The streets of Nairobi are a battleground for rights and governance, and the world is watching as Kenya stands at a critical crossroads. With the situation evolving rapidly, the call for justice and reform reverberates through the nation.