NAIROBI â Kenyan police patrolled the streets of the capital Nairobi on Thursday, roadblocks were set up on major arteries and many shops were shut ahead of planned new anti-government protests.
The East African nation has been rocked by weeks of sometimes deadly demonstrations mostly led by young Gen-Z Kenyans against President William Rutoâs two-year-old administration.
The nationâs acting police chief had warned on Wednesday that âcriminalsâ intended to infiltrate the demonstrations and said people should not trespass on avoid âprotected areasâ such as the main international airport and State House, the presidentâs official residence.
READ: âShaken to the coreâ: Kenya protest death toll climbs to 13
In a post on X, the acting inspector general of police Gilbert Masengeli said âadequate security personnelâ had been deployed, but advised the public to âtake extra caution while in crowded areas that are likely to turn riotousâ.
While the rallies â which began in June â have become smaller in recent weeks, posters shared online called for fresh demonstrations, dubbed âNane Naneâ or Eight Eight in Swahili, to signify the date, August 8.
In his statement Wednesday, Masengeli warned about âcriminals planning to infiltrate tomorrowâs Nane Nane demonstrations and commit further crimesâ.
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Organizers of the protests have in the past accused âgoonsâ of hijacking their plans for peaceful action and of stoking violence.
At least 60 people have been killed since the protests began. They started out as peaceful rallies against controversial proposed tax hikes but have ballooned into wider action against Ruto and what many see as profligate government spending and corruption.
Police have been accused of using excessive force, sometimes firing live bullets at protesters, while dozens of people have gone missing, according to rights groups.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura on Wednesday urged young Kenyans to âavoid unchecked protests, which could lead to further economic hardships and hinder their chances of gaining employmentâ.
Mwaura also claimed the spread of misinformation had contributed to the protests, telling people to âignore these calls to violenceâ.
In a bid to tackle the worst crisis of his presidency, Ruto has taken a series of measures to address public anger including scrapping the tax hikes, revamping his entire cabinet and making deep budget cuts.
He has found himself caught between the demands of international lenders to shore up government finances to enable it to pay down its massive $78 billion debt, and ordinary Kenyans who are struggling with a cost-of-living crisis.