Activists leading Kenya’s anti-government protests are reconsidering their strategy following Tuesday’s demonstrations, which were marred by violence and looting. They fear these incidents could undermine the movement and its efforts to push President William Ruto to resign.
The activists allege that the violence was instigated by “goons” hired by politicians to discredit the legitimate demonstrators or advance their own agendas. Some have called on social media for the next planned demonstration on Thursday to be canceled.
“It seems the state has realized that the only way to counter this movement is by using goons to incite violence, break into people’s property, loot, and tarnish our cause,” said Ojango Omondi, an activist in Nairobi. “It’s time to go back to the drawing board and strategize on how best to overcome this violence and keep our protests focused on their true objectives.”
The Kenyan government spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment. Interior Minister Kithure Kindike blamed the violence on “hordes of marauding criminal gangs” and accused some of trying to “politicize crime.”
The initial protests last month against proposed tax hikes were largely peaceful, although police fired tear gas and water cannons at demonstrators. The mobilization of Kenyans across ethnic lines around common economic demands marked a departure from previous protest movements, which were typically organized by political figures with ethnic grievances.
The protests turned violent when some demonstrators briefly stormed parliament last week, and police opened fire, killing dozens. The next day, Ruto withdrew the tax increases, but protesters continued, issuing demands from anti-corruption measures to Ruto’s resignation.
On Tuesday, the protests were marked by violence from the outset. Stone-throwing young men clashed with police in Nairobi and other towns, and looters stormed businesses, prompting shop owners to arm themselves with sticks and clubs.
Foi Wambui, a young actress who came to protest in downtown Nairobi, said she was heading home because of the chaos. “What has happened is that peaceful protesters are deterred from coming to town, and we are deterred from actually coming and practicing our civic duties,” she told Reuters.
Discrediting the movement
In official statements, Ruto and the government have generally distinguished between peaceful protesters and those they brand as criminals hijacking the demonstrations. However, their allies have used the violence to try to discredit the movement, known as Gen Z protests for its youthful following.
Dennis Itumbi, a political consultant close to Ruto, posted a video on social media showing a group of young men robbing another man in the streets. It was unclear where or when the video was taken. “Congratulations Gen-Z for your Peaceful and democratic protests along the streets,” Itumbi wrote. “The police should not interfere with your moves.”
Gerald Bitok, the communications director at the presidency, said young people were beginning to turn against the protests. “The Gen Zs and the young people of this country have made it crystal clear that going forward, they will not be part of the demonstrations that are now synonymous with terror,” he said on social media.
In a public forum on Tuesday evening attended by over 400,000 people, a supporter of the protest movement said it bore some responsibility for the chaos by continuing to call for demonstrations after Ruto withdrew the tax hikes. “You are equally culpable if you are still beating the drums of war,” he said.
Other speakers blamed what they referred to as paid goons but agreed that demonstrators should step back and call off Thursday’s protest. “We will have more casualties and we will not achieve what we want,” said one. “Let’s go back. Let’s strategize.”
