The three-day demonstrations, announced by opposition leader Raila Odinga on Monday, resulted in widespread disruptions and clashes across the country.

Throughout the day, angry protesters took to the streets of several cities, leading to the closure of businesses nationwide. Unfortunately, the protests turned deadly, with at least five protesters losing their lives on Wednesday.

The government reported the arrest of 300 individuals in connection with demonstration-related activities, including several opposition officials.

In Nairobi, the capital city, the roads remained relatively empty in the morning, with only a few commuters observed. However, tensions escalated throughout the day, resulting in three civilians sustaining gunshot wounds and multiple injuries to police gunshots and beatings.

In Mathare and Jacaranda grounds, protesters were arrested, and the opposition presented injured individuals, including minors, alleging that they had been shot by the police.

In a concerning incident, a journalist from African Censored was reportedly arrested by plainclothes police officers while covering the protest in Nairobi’s Kayole area. Kalvin Rock was later released.

The city of Kisumu, a stronghold for Odinga and the opposition, witnessed the lighting of bonfires in various locations, including the bus terminus.

Anti-riot police were deployed to the area, forcibly dispersing the crowd. As a result, main roads remained blocked, and businesses shuttered for the day.

In Mombasa, on the coast, protesters were arrested after igniting bonfires that blocked the road leading to the Port of Mombasa. Subsequently, pro-government protesters marched towards the opposition demonstrators, but police intervened and dispersed both groups.

In response to the escalating violence, the government ordered the closure of schools across the country as a precautionary measure.

The Wednesday protests were triggered by the opposition’s determination to compel President William Ruto to repeal the recently enacted Finance Bill, which imposed additional tax burdens, leading to soaring living costs.

The government argues that the fuel and housing levies, expected to generate an additional 200 billion shillings ($1.4 billion) annually, are necessary to address growing debt repayments and fund job creation initiatives.

However, the opposition decries the tax hikes, pointing to their detrimental impact on the poor. Under President Ruto’s administration, the price of basic commodities has significantly increased, fueling public discontent.

These latest protests follow similar demonstrations earlier this month, which escalated into violence as police deployed tear gas and, in some cases, live rounds against the crowds.

At least 20 people lost their lives, and hundreds were arrested during those clashes.

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The foreign diplomats acknowledged the daily hardships faced by many Kenyans and urged all parties involved to address their concerns through meaningful dialogue and resolve their differences peacefully, with the ultimate goal of nation-building and preventing further loss of life.

The statement emphasized the readiness of the international community to support the parties in finding constructive and peaceful solutions to the challenges facing Kenya.

“We stand ready to support the parties in their efforts to find constructive and peaceful solutions,” they concluded.

Meanwhile, opposition leader Raila Odinga, in a statement released by his One Kenya Party known as Azimio La Umoja, announced a three-day series of anti-government demonstrations starting on Wednesday, July 19, despite the government’s warning that the protests will not be allowed to take place.

Odinga believes that these protests will serve as a significant turning point for the nation.

However, the Kenyan government has declared the planned demonstrations by the Azimio La Umoja One Kenya Opposition Coalition as illegal, setting the stage for another potential clash between the police and protesters on Wednesday. The previous week’s violent protests called by Odinga resulted in the tragic deaths of at least 20 civilians and the arrest of over 300 people, including an opposition lawmaker.

The police have faced criticism for their heavy-handed response, including the use of tear gas against civilians, with reports even emerging of tear gas being deployed within a school setting.

The growing tension between the government and the opposition raises concerns about the potential escalation of violence and its impact on Kenya’s stability.

The international community’s call for peaceful dialogue and constructive resolutions echoes the urgent need for all parties involved to engage in productive discussions and find common ground for the betterment of the nation.

As Kenya braces for the upcoming protests, all eyes are on the government’s response and the actions of both protesters and law enforcement agencies, with hopes that a peaceful resolution can be achieved without further loss of life or destruction of property.

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