Kenya has sent troops on to the streets after deadly nationwide demonstrations. AFP
Kenya has sent troops on to the streets after deadly nationwide demonstrations. AFP
Kenya has sent troops on to the streets after deadly nationwide demonstrations. AFP
Kenya has sent troops on to the streets after deadly nationwide demonstrations. AFP

Kenya braces for more protests despite withdrawal of controversial finance bill


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Kenyan police set up roadblocks near the presidential palace in Nairobi on Thursday amid concerns of further unrest sparked a finance bill, despite President William Ruto saying he would not sign it into law.

He announced on Wednesday that he would withdraw the bill, which aimed to raise or introduce taxes, after protesters stormed parliament on Tuesday. At least 22 people were shot dead by security forces.

Mr Ruto's comments have convinced some Kenyans to halt their protests, but others have vowed to press on until the President resigns. Social media users in the country pledged to "occupy State House", as the hashtag "#RutoMustGo" circulated online.

"Let's not be foolish as we fight for a better Kenya," activist Boniface Mwangi said on Instagram post, warning that storming government buildings could lead to more violence.

Thousands from across the country on Tuesday joined the protest movement, which has no formal leadership and has been organised primarily on social media.

The death toll from the crackdown has increased to 22, the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said. The organisation has said it will investigate the response from the authorities.

"This is the largest number of deaths in a single-day protest," chairwoman Roseline Odede said. At least 300 people were injured during the demonstrations, she added.

Army vehicles arrived in the capital's central business district, a key site in Tuesday's protests, after the government called on the military to help police rein in the violence.

Kenya's military has been told to support police amid nationwide protests. Reuters
Kenya's military has been told to support police amid nationwide protests. Reuters

The protests are the most serious challenge to Mr Ruto, who took power in 2022. The government wanted the finance bill to raise funds to pay off debt, but many Kenyans opposed the move as millions struggle to make ends meet.

Mr Ruto said the bill caused “widespread dissatisfaction” and that he had listened to the people and “conceded”. It is a major setback for the President, who came to power on a platform of helping Kenyans cope with rising costs.

"It is necessary for us to have a conversation as a nation on how we manage the affairs of the country together,” he said.

Nelly, 25, told AFP that she intended to join a protest march on Thursday and criticised Mr Ruto's handling of the issue. "He could have done this earlier without people having to die," she said.

The US condemned the violence in Kenya and called for restraint. "We offer our deepest condolences, of course, to the families who have been impacted by this violence, and we continue to urge restraint so that no further people are put in harm’s way while exercising their right to peaceful public assembly," National Security spokesman John Kirby said.

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White hydrogen: Naturally occurring hydrogenChromite: Hard, metallic mineral containing iron oxide and chromium oxideUltramafic rocks: Dark-coloured rocks rich in magnesium or iron with very low silica contentOphiolite: A section of the earth’s crust, which is oceanic in nature that has since been uplifted and exposed on landOlivine: A commonly occurring magnesium iron silicate mineral that derives its name for its olive-green yellow-green colour

Expo details

Expo 2020 Dubai will be the first World Expo to be held in the Middle East, Africa and South Asia

The world fair will run for six months from October 20, 2020 to April 10, 2021.

It is expected to attract 25 million visits

Some 70 per cent visitors are projected to come from outside the UAE, the largest proportion of international visitors in the 167-year history of World Expos.

More than 30,000 volunteers are required for Expo 2020

The site covers a total of 4.38 sqkm, including a 2 sqkm gated area

It is located adjacent to Al Maktoum International Airport in Dubai South

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Our family matters legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.

Our legal consultant

Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais

Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants

New Zealand 57-0 South Africa

Tries: Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder (2), Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Ofa Tu'ungfasi, Lima Sopoaga, Codie Taylor. Conversions: Beauden Barrett (7). Penalty: Beauden Barrett

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%3Cp%3EDeveloper%3A%20Pillow%20Castle%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Pillow%20Castle%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3EConsole%3A%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20Xbox%20Series%20One%20%26amp%3B%20X%2FS%2C%20Nintendo%20Switch%2C%20PC%20and%20Mac%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Shubh Mangal Saavdhan
Directed by: RS Prasanna
Starring: Ayushmann Khurrana, Bhumi Pednekar

Pathaan
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Wicked: For Good

Director: Jon M Chu

Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater

Rating: 4/5

Voices: How A Great Singer Can Change Your Life
Nick Coleman
Jonathan Cape

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
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The National Archives, Abu Dhabi

Founded over 50 years ago, the National Archives collects valuable historical material relating to the UAE, and is the oldest and richest archive relating to the Arabian Gulf.

Much of the material can be viewed on line at the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive - https://www.agda.ae/en

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Calls

Directed by: Fede Alvarez

Starring: Pedro Pascal, Karen Gillian, Aaron Taylor-Johnson

4/5

Updated: June 27, 2024, 11:02 AM