New Cabinet Inaugurated, Police Disband Kenyan Anti-president Demonstrators With Tear Gas

Kenyan President William Ruto inaugurated a new cabinet/PHOTO via X @WilliamsRuto

JAKARTA - Police fired tear gas to disperse anti-government demonstrators from the center of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi. Their protest movement forced President William Ruto to resign.

The "Nane Nane" Parade, which means "eight eight" refers to that date, comes after weeks of similar pro-reformation protests that led Ruto to cancel plans to increase taxes and reshuffle his cabinet.

National-scale protests led by youth began peacefully in June before turning violent, and more than 50 people died.

Shops were closed and the streets became deserted after riot police put up roadblocks and threw tear gas cylinders to disperse a handful of protesters in Nairobi's financial district. Police fired tear gas at a group of protesters shouting "Ruto must leave", Reuters journalists reported Thursday, August 8.

In the biggest crisis in his two years of office, Ruto bowed to pressure and canceled a new tax in June after several demonstrators stormed parliament.

Ruto sacked his entire cabinet except for foreign ministers last month as a sign of victory for activists and protesters demanding massive changes.

Ruto later appointed opposition members into his cabinet, but activists criticized the move as a corrupt deal and reiterated demands for him to resign.

They called for broad reforms to eradicate corruption and for local and national governments to improve service provision.

Ruto said the new cabinet reflects national unity and will meet the demands of the protest movement.

He promised to investigate alleged violations committed by the police during the demonstration, but he broadly defended their actions.

The Ruto Cabinet which was re-established was sworn in on Thursday.

"In Kenya at this time, even though the competition is healthy and good, there is a time when the interests of a country are bigger than the interests of political formation," he said in his speech after the ministers were sworn in.

Ruto criticized the demonstrators after initially praising those who acted peacefully.

"We are a proud democratic country, based on the foundation of a strong rule of law. There is no room for anarchy, chaos and violence," said Ruto.