Description: The anti – government civil demonstrations instigated to commemorate the victims of last year’s violent and deadly protests have significantly escalated and engulfed several cities in Kenya, spreading nationwide outrage. Medical facilities, NGO’s and other independent humanitarian organizations have reported that up to 16 people were killed and more than 400 were severely injured in violent clashes with the police which used live ammunition on the protesters. Last year’s deadly outburst was caused by President William Ruto’s incorporation of higher taxes on national level, which prompted significant civil unrest and left more than 60 people dead and hundreds of injured. The majority of the protesters were young Kenyans who have repeatedly stated the country’s ailing economy, issues with corruption and governance malpractice were systemic issues and called for Ruto’s resignation.
Impact: Kenya’s resurgence in anti – government and civil unrests expedited by systemic social issues caused by corruption and governance malpractice, navigates the country’s heading towards an extended period of political and civil crises. Ruto’s introduction to the government wasn’t positively received and his two – year rule has been smeared by poor governance, high levels of corruption and consistent economic decline. The demonstrations have already turned violent, reminiscent of last year’s clashes where the military was deployed, which signals expansion of the civil movement causing domestic instability in order to instigate the wholesale reconstruction of the government. The protests would continue to grow, potentially turning even more violent, as the government’s repressive response and politically uncoordinated calls for cessation of the violence, would cause further uproar amongst the young population.