29 Jun 2024 | 01:22 AM UTC
Kenya: Anti-government activists call for additional demonstrations and other political activities across country through at least July 4 /update 7
Activists call for protests across Kenya through July 4 to demand resignation of President William Ruto; increased security, clashes likely.
Anti-government activists have called for additional protests across Kenya through at least July 4 to demand President William Ruto's resignation. Supporting activists, circulating the call for demonstrations and other political actions on social media via "#RutoMustGo," have signaled that protesters will "occupy all major roads in the country and sit down" on both July 2 and July 4. Related political activities, including the printing and hanging of posters in public places, among other actions, are also slated to occur June 29-30, July 1, and July 3. Barring additional concessions from Ruto or other government officials over the coming days, activists will likely call for further protest activity beyond July 4.
Several foreign countries' diplomatic services, including those of Australia, Canada, France, the UK, and the US, have recently issued notices advising their citizens to avoid demonstrations and other political gatherings in Kenya. Despite these advisories, none of the abovementioned countries had instructed their nationals to avoid all travel to Kenya or evacuate the country as of June 28.
Kenya's major airports, including Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO), and land border crossings are currently open and operating normally (i.e., except for the country's border with Somalia, which is officially closed but remains porous as evidenced by frequent cross-border attacks by Somalia-based militants and bandit groups).
Authorities will almost certainly maintain a heightened security presence along key thoroughfares, near government buildings, and in the vicinity of any protest activity that materializes. Especially tight security is likely in Nairobi around the State House and Parliament building. Transport disruptions will likely affect areas subject to protest activity and heightened security; business and telecommunications disruptions are also possible in such areas.
Security forces may establish checkpoints to prevent protesters from gathering. Activists could also block roads. Further clashes between security forces and demonstrators are likely; Kenyan authorities are generally quick to use force in dispersing protests. Officials could suspend telecommunications and internet services if the unrest escalates.
Exercise increased caution if operating in Kenya, especially in Nairobi, through at least July 4. Strictly avoid all protests. Do not attempt to cross roadblocks set up by protesters. Plan accordingly for disruptions to transport, business operations, and telecommunications services. Confirm the status of driving routes shortly before travel. Heed instructions issued by local authorities and your home government. If violence occurs nearby, leave the area immediately and seek shelter in a safe, nongovernmental building.
The scheduled protest campaign comes after Ruto signaled on June 26 that he would decline to sign a controversial taxation bill passed by Parliament, the Finance Bill 2024, that would have raised an estimated USD 2.7 billion in additional tax revenue. Ruto's about-face followed protest activity that began on June 18 and peaked with demonstrators storming the Parliament building and clashing with police on June 25. As of June 28, at least 23 people had been killed and hundreds of others injured in the unrest.
Kenya's government introduced the contentious bill in May 2024, proposing various new taxes to increase revenue and reduce the fiscal deficit from 5.7 percent to 3.3 percent of the nation's GDP. The bill faced significant pushback from the main opposition coalition, Azimio la Umoja, as well as public and civic groups, leading to widespread protests. The failure to pass a finance bill could create a substantial budget shortfall, complicating efforts to address the nation's considerable public debt.
