Kenya police fire tear gas as protesters flout ban

Kenyan police on Wednesday used tear gas to disperse demonstrators who disobeyed a police order not to participate in a protest organised by opposition leader Raila Odinga over tax increases.

Major thoroughfares in several western Kenyan cities, where Odinga enjoys a sizable following, were abandoned as demonstrators went to the streets.

Shops were closed, and security was tight in Nairobi's capital, where police used tear gas to disperse stone-throwing protesters in the Mathare and Kibera slums.

A highway between Nairobi and the port city of Mombasa was vandalised, and tear gas was used to disperse the protestors.

According to the interior ministry, six people were killed at rallies that took place in different cities last week, and rights activists charge that police used excessive force. The conflicts followed those gatherings.

Odinga told reporters that the police were responsible for protesters’ deaths.

“We have always said that these meetings remain peaceful until police decide to break them up with bullets and teargas,” the 78-year-old said.

“Police have shot, injured and killed protesters in various parts of the country including here in Nairobi.”

The seasoned politician announced that he was postponing plans to speak to supporters in the capital on Wednesday due to concerns for their safety.

Late on Tuesday, Kenya's police commander issued a warning against holding "illegal demonstrations" in support of the opposition, claiming organisers had not given them any "notifications" about gatherings this week.

“In this regard, no such demonstrations/gatherings/protests will be allowed tomorrow… All lawful means will be used to disperse such demonstrations,” Inspector General of Police Japhet Koome said.

The restriction comes in response to demonstrations last Friday, when police in Nairobi shot tear gas at Odinga's vehicle, according to AFP reporters.

They responded to protests in Mombasa and Kisumu with similar actions.

Campaigners claim that on Saturday, police deployed tear gas on leaders of civil society who were pleading for the release of numerous protesters who had been detained.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights has called for “a thorough investigation into all reported incidents of police brutality”, adding to the chorus of condemnation from rights groups including Amnesty International against “arbitrary arrests”.

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