Kenya police fire tear gas, water cannon on anniversary of pro-democracy protests

Kenyan police fired tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters in the capital Nairobi on Monday as they marked the 35th anniversary of pro-democracy rallies.

Activists rally every year on July 7 to mark the date in 1990 when opponents of then-president Daniel Arap Moi launched a bid to transform the country into a multiparty democracy. The protest is called "Saba Saba" - "seven seven" in Kiswahili - because of the date.

Authorities have ramped up police deployments in Nairobi since youth-led protests in June 2024 that initially focused on tax hikes but expanded to cover issues such as graft, police brutality and unexplained disappearances of government critics.

A Reuters witness saw police use tear gas and water cannon on Monday to disperse crowds along a key artery in Nairobi, as hundreds of demonstrators advanced, with some blowing whistles while they marched.

Police had earlier blocked major roads leading into Nairobi and they heavily restricted vehicle traffic within the city, leaving streets deserted but for the demonstrators who turned up on foot. Most schools and at least one shopping mall were shut in anticipation of possible trouble.

"We are not ready to go back (home) because who will fight for our rights then? We will be here till evening," Francis Waswa, a construction worker, told Reuters.

'HIGH ALERT'

Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen, who last month described the protests as "terrorism disguised as dissent", said on his X account on Sunday that the government was committed to protecting life and property.

"Our security agencies are on high alert to deal decisively with criminals and other elements of ill intent who may seek to infiltrate peaceful processions to cause havoc, mayhem, or destruction of property," he said.

Unidentified people forced their way into the offices of the non-profit Kenya Human Rights Commission on Sunday to stop a press conference ahead of Monday's protests.

At least one person, a board member, was injured, said Ernest Cornel, who works at the commission.

Police spokesperson Muchiri Nyaga did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The death of Albert Ojwang, a teacher and blogger, in police custody in June gave fresh impetus to public protests. The government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported 19 deaths nationwide during demonstrations on June 25.

Prosecutors approved murder charges against six people, including three police officers, over Ojwang's death. All six suspects pleaded not guilty.