Youth in Kenya took to the streets of the capital for the eighth consecutive week on Thursday, coinciding with President William Ruto’s swearing-in of a new cabinet.
In Nairobi’s city center, police deployed tear gas against the protesters, leading to widespread business closures. Social media buzzed with calls for the “mother of all protests,” dubbed the Nane Nane March, in reference to the Swahili translation of the date—August 8. “We shall march for our rights and tomorrow, we shall liberate this country,” stated Kasmuel McOure, a key figure among the young demonstrators, in a press briefing on Wednesday.
The demonstrations, which began almost two months ago, were initially sparked by opposition to a since-withdrawn Finance Bill. The movement has since evolved, with many Gen Z Kenyans using social media to mobilize against corruption, the high cost of living, and police brutality.
Escalating Police Response
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, the protests have turned deadly, with at least 61 fatalities nationwide attributed to police use of excessive force and live ammunition against largely peaceful demonstrators.
Shad Khali, another notable protester, referred to Thursday as the third liberation of the country on his X account, describing it as the culmination of over a month of Kenyan demands for accountability and adherence to the rule of law. Many young participants have rejected the media’s portrayal of the events as “anti-government protests,” emphasizing their constitutional rights. Police cautioned that criminals might exploit Thursday’s protests for nefarious purposes, pledging to deploy adequate security measures. Acting police chief Gilbert Masengeli advised the public to exercise caution in potentially volatile areas.
In response to public pressure, President Ruto dismissed his cabinet last month but reappointed approximately half of the ministers, sparking renewed public anger. Parliament approved all but one of the 20 nominees, including several opposition figures.
“I believe this is the moment to build a strong team of rivals. With this broad-based government that unites former political adversaries into a selfless, patriotic team, we will unlock the potential of our country, long stifled by factional and sectarian competition,” Ruto proclaimed at State House Nairobi.
The Kenyan protests have also inspired similar movements in Uganda and Nigeria.
