One Person Shot Dead in Kitengela Amid Anti-Government Protests

16, Jul 2024 / 1 min read/ By Livenow Africa

One person has been shot dead in Kitengela, Kajiado County during anti-government protests as calls for President William Ruto to resign intensified.

What began as peaceful protests in Kitengela town turned chaotic after police officers lobbed teargas at the protestors. This led to running battles between the protestors and anti-riot officers who responded with water cannons to disperse the crowd.

As the situation escalated, General Service Unit (GSU) officers were deployed as backup for the police, who were at one point overwhelmed by the protestors. Videos circulating online showed the demonstrators carrying the protestor, who was shot in the head, to a different location.

This incident brings the total number of people killed during the ongoing protests to over 51, according to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR). The human rights group also reported 413 injuries and 59 abductions since the protests began.

On Tuesday morning, demonstrations erupted in over 23 counties including Nairobi, Kisii, Nyamira, Migori, Nyeri, Makueni, Machakos, Laikipia, Homa Bay, Kilifi, and Turkana. Other counties affected include Kajiado, Baringo, Kericho, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Bungoma, and Trans Nzoia.

In Nairobi, anti-riot officers lobbed teargas at peaceful protestors holding Kenyan flags and placards. Businesses remained closed across the Central Business Districts (CBD) of various towns as the protests raged on during the day.

"No dialogue, just actions," shouted the protestors, calling for the president to resign from office.

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