The protest movement in Kenya, organized via social media, has escalated following the deaths of at least 39 individuals during demonstrations against proposed tax hikes. Activists are now calling for President William Ruto to step down amidst growing unrest against corruption and misgovernance. Ruto, facing pressure from lenders to reduce deficits and a population struggling with high living costs, has withdrawn the tax hikes and directed the treasury to find alternative solutions.
The protests, which began peacefully, turned violent when police clashed with demonstrators, resulting in numerous deaths and injuries. Despite Ruto defending the police actions, calls for his resignation have intensified. Amidst the uncertainty of future protests, downtown Nairobi remains calm with shops opening as usual, indicating a sense of fear amongst the population following the violent clashes. The nation stands at a crossroads as citizens weigh their patriotism against the need for peaceful demonstrations.