International
Kenya bans protests amid mounting political turmoil
The mounting political turmoil in the East African country of Kenya has forced authorities to ban protests in central Nairobi and other hotspots as the re-scheduled political re-run fast approaches.
Reports say the order also covered the opposition stronghold of Kisumu and the port of Mombasa – the scenes of repeated demonstrations since the Supreme Court annulled the last vote in August, citing irregularities.
However, the opposition plans to go ahead with protests despite the ban declaring that demonstrations will be staged on Friday, and on a daily basis from Monday next week.
Read also: Widespread anger as protests erupt in Kenya over new election law
“The protests are covered by the bill of rights in the constitution. We do not hold the protests as a favour by the State,” Dennis Onyango, the spokesman for opposition leader Raila Odinga, said.
Violent protests erupted moments after several changes over a new election law were approved by parliament – dominated by President Uhuru Kenyatta’s ruling Jubilee party.
According to reports, police in Kenya fired teargas at angry opposition supporters who are unhappy at a new election law which says if one candidate withdraws, the other automatically wins the presidency- meaning a walk over victory for Kenyatta, in the re-run of the election later this month.
RipplesNigeria… without borders, without fears
Click here to join the Ripples Nigeria WhatsApp group for latest updates.
Join the conversation
Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism
Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.
As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.
If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.
Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.
INVESTIGATION: In Kwara, multimillion-naira milk processing plant is abandoned, converted to a chicken outlet
After the government spent millions of naira to establish a milk processing plant in Kwara State that would provided jobs...
SPECIAL REPORT: For Sokoto communities, promise of healthcare is akin to death sentence
In this story, ABDULRASHEED HAMMAD delves into the dire realities of Primary Health Care services in Sokoto State, shedding light...
ICYMI…SPECIAL REPORT: NNPCL hides behind PIA to frustrate disclosure, accountability
Nigeria’s major oil company, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), in what appears to be a common practice of disregard...
INVESTIGATION: Multi-million naira Ekiti resort center remains uncompleted a decade after
The multimillion-naira project, expected to comprise recreational buildings, now consists of cassava farmland, a bush used for excretion, and a...
SPECIAL REPORT: Torturous experiences of students with disabilities in Oyo tertiary institutions
For students with disabilities in Oyo state-owned tertiary institutions, learning is a torturous and distressing experience, considering the building structures...