Kenya’s Defense Secretary Aden Duale announced a state of emergency on Tuesday in response to widespread anti-government protests.
In an official statement published in the “Kenya Gazette,” Duale stated, “The Kenya Defense Forces were deployed on June 25, 2024, to support the police in addressing the security emergency caused by ongoing violent protests across the country, which have led to infrastructure destruction.”
The protests, initially sparked by opposition to a proposed bill, began in Nairobi and quickly spread nationwide, prompting a call for a national strike on June 25.
Last Sunday, Kenyan President William Ruto expressed his willingness to engage with thousands of young protesters, praising the peaceful nature of the demonstrations.
However, police have employed tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds near the parliament.
President Ruto’s administration has defended its plan to impose new taxes, deeming them necessary for a debt-ridden state.
Ruto emphasized that the plan includes measures to combat youth unemployment and improve access to education.
Kenya recorded an annual inflation rate of 5.1% in May, with food prices increasing by 6.2% and fuel prices by 7.8%, according to the Central Bank of Kenya.
Nearly one-third of Kenya’s population of 51.5 million lives below the poverty line.
