At least 11 dead in Kenya protests as central Nairobi sealed off
At least eleven people have been killed during anti-government protests in Kenya and 567 arrested, police said.
Kenyan police clashed with protesters on Monday, July 7, during anti-government protests, leaving 11 dead, according to authorities.
Police blocked major roads leading to the capital, Nairobi, and most businesses closed amid the strictest measures yet to contain the unrest.
Protesters lit bonfires and threw rocks at the police, who fired shots and tear gas canisters, insulting the protesters.
More than 500 people were arrested during the protests, according to the National Police Service (NPS).
Spokesman Michael Muchiri said that during the protests, "some individuals remained determined to engage in acts of lawlessness involving multiple criminal acts," including looting and attacks on officers, and the force announced a total of 567 arrests.
He did not provide further details, but added that each reported incident would be subject to "further investigation."
Kenyan youth and other civic groups have been protesting for weeks against police and government brutality, while demanding the resignation of President William Ruto over alleged corruption and the high cost of living.
July 7, known as Saba Saba, is a significant date in Kenyan history, as it commemorates the first major protests 35 years ago that demanded then-President Daniel arap Moi—Ruto's mentor—transition from a one-party state to a multi-party democracy, which was achieved in the 1992 elections. Saba Saba means "Seven Seven" in Swahili.
On Monday, police officers blocked private and public vehicles from entering downtown Nairobi. They also prevented most pedestrians from entering, allowing only those performing essential duties. Streets leading to Parliament (stormed during a protest last year) and the president's office were blocked with barbed wire.
