Protests against alleged government abductions of critics turned violent in Kenya, leading to dozens of arrests. Police used tear gas to disperse crowds in Nairobi, while rights groups condemned the arbitrary arrests.
Dozens of protesters have been arrested in Kenya during nationwide clashes between police and demonstrators, according to rights groups, as anger swells over a wave of alleged abductions of government critics. Over the weekend, Kenya n President William Ruto promised to put an end to the abductions – an apparent climbdown from the leader who initially called the disappearances “fake news.
” Anti-abduction protests continued Monday, with police firing tear gas to disperse crowds in the capital, Nairobi. At least 53 unarmed protesters were arrested across the country throughout the day, according to the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). CNN has approached the Kenyan police for comment. Opposition lawmaker Okiya Omtatah and Reuben Kigame – a blind gospel singer and one-time presidential candidate – were among those arrested on Monday, KNCHR said. Omtatah joined a sit-in protest in Nairobi and was filmed alongside demonstrators holding chains and placards, according to video shared by Agence France-Presse. One read: “When tyranny becomes the law, resistance becomes a duty.” Protesters sang the national anthem and chanted “We are peaceful” and “We have read the constitution.” Videos also showed police attempting to break up the sit-in protest by throwing multiple tear-gas canisters towards the cowering demonstrators. Once the smoke cleared, police arrived on horseback and were seen handling several of the protesters, including Omtatah. In a video broadcast from Omtatah’s official X account, he was seen sitting on the ground of what appeared to be a cell with several other men, arguing with armed guards. KNCHR condemned what it called the arbitrary arrests and said the initially peaceful demonstrations “were disrupted violently by police who unleashed terror on demonstrators.” It called for the detained protesters – and those abducted earlier – to be released unconditionally
KENYA PROTESTS ABDUCTIONS HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLENCE
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