Nationwide protests erupted in Kenya on Wednesday (25 June), with people calling for President William Ruto to resign. The demonstrations, which started as a protest against police brutality and government mismanagement, turned violent. According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, at least 16 people were killed and 400 wounded.
The initial protests followed the death of blogger and teacher Albert Ojwang in police custody earlier this month. Thousands of people took to the streets in more than 20 countries to demand justice and an end to police brutality and corruption. Some demonstrators set fire to police stations and shops in Nairobi, prompting a forceful response from security forces.
On Thursday (26 June), Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen denounced the unrest as an attempted coup and 'terrorism disguised as dissent', claiming that the police had prevented protesters from entering parliament and the president's residence. However, activists and youth leaders maintained that the protests were peaceful and focused on governmental issues.
