Kenya Protests Leave 8 Dead, Calls for Ruto Exit

Nationwide protests in Kenya against police brutality and poor governance have left at least eight dead and over 400 injured, with police using live ammunition, rubber bullets, and tear gas against demonstrators. The unrest was partly fueled by the recent death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody, ruled a homicide, and by the anniversary of last year’s anti-tax protests, which resulted in over 60 deaths and 20 missing persons. Human rights groups, including the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, have condemned the excessive force and called for accountability. AP photographer Brian Inganga captured a police officer shooting a bystander at close range, drawing further attention to police violence. Authorities imposed a short-lived media blackout during the demonstrations, later overturned by the High Court. President William Ruto defended security forces and urged for calm, as calls for his resignation from protesters grow.