Africa
NAIROBI — Kenyans braced for more violence on Wednesday after a three-day protest began over tax hikes and rising prices. Police shut off roads leading to the presidency, businesses closed in the capital’s center, and commuter trains were suspended.
John Muchucha/Reuters
At least 27 people have been killed since protests began last month, all of them shot, including two by rubber bullets, according to the Independent Medico Legal Unit, a civil society group that tracks deaths during unrest. On Wednesday alone, 12 were shot dead during protests, the group said, the same day that more than 50 schoolchildren were hospitalized after police used tear gas at their school.
John Muchucha/Reuters
Kenya’s opposition leaders, led by veteran politician Raila Odinga, have organized the protests partly because of skyrocketing prices of basic commodities, partly over last month’s tax hikes and partly because they allege last year’s elections were stolen — although foreign observers generally agreed the election was fair.
John Muchucha/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
Kenya police officers patrol next to a vandalized car that has been used as a barricade by opposition supporters during anti-government protests. Kenya braced for a new round of protests despite the government warning it would not tolerate further unrest after earlier demonstrations turned violent with more than a dozen people killed.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
July 19 | Nairobi
Protesters hurl stones in a Kibera slum during an anti-government protest the imposition of tax hikes by the government. The protests began after President William Ruto’s government passed a finance bill last month imposing extra taxes designed to raise $1.4 billion annually. Kenya is deeply in debt to China after taking out a loan to build a high-speed railway.
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
A police officer fires a tear-gas canister.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
July 19 | Nairobi
Supporters of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance react to tear gas.
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
Riot police officers confront demonstrators.
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
An opposition supporter holds a stick in front of a burning barricade.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
July 19 | Nairobi
A riot policeman reloads a tear-gas grenade launcher during clashes with protesters in the Kibera area.
Brian Inganga/AP
Brian Inganga/AP
July 19 | Nairobi
Protesters throw rocks at police during clashes next to a cloud of tear gas.
Brian Inganga/AP
Brian Inganga/AP
July 19 | Nairobi
Police officers run as they confront Odinga supporters.
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
Residents carry a man who they said was wounded in the leg by a stray bullet as he sat near his house, during clashes between police and protesters in the Mathare area.
AP
AP
July 19 | Nairobi
Paramedics transport an Odinga supporter after he was shot.
John Muchucha/Reuters
John Muchucha/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
A protester hurls a stone.
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
A Kenyan police officer takes cover behind a police water truck.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
July 19 | Nairobi
Firefighters attempt to extinguish a fire.
James Keyi/Reuters
James Keyi/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
Police officers detain a demonstrator.
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
Monicah Mwangi/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
Police officers run as Odinga supporters protest.
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
A police officer fires a rubber bullet at a group of opposition supporters.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
July 19 | Nairobi
Odinga supporters hurl stones at police officers.
John Muchucha/Reuters
John Muchucha/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
A riot police officer engages Odinga supporters.
John Muchucha/Reuters
John Muchucha/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
Riot police detain an Odinga supporter.
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
Thomas Mukoya/Reuters
July 19 | Nairobi
A Kenyan police officer takes cover behind a police water truck.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
July 19 | Nairobi
Kenyan opposition supporters gather next to a burning barricade.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
July 19 | Nairobi
Protesters and supporters of the opposition Azimio coalition burn a car during a protest.
Daniel Irungu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Daniel Irungu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
July 19 | Nairobi
A road sign bears Odinga's name.
Daniel Irungu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Daniel Irungu/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
July 19 | Nairobi
A group of opposition supporters gathers in the streets chanting slogans against the Kenyan government.
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
Luis Tato/AFP/Getty Images
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Kenyans protest tax hikes as police respond with tear gas
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Credits
Photo editing and production by Troy Witcher, Stephen Cook; text by Katharine Houreld and Rael Ombuor