Men armed with batons patrol Kericho town ahead of expected protests

The motive for being armed with batons was not clear by the time of going to press.

In Summary
  • Protesters on social media had earlier scheduled Tuesday as the day of anti-government protests. 

  • The protesters are demanding better governance and accountability from leaders.

Armed men have been seen patrolling the town of Kericho ahead of anti-government protests on Tuesday.

Men armed with batons patrolling the town of Kericho ahead of anti-government protests July 16, 2024.
Men armed with batons patrolling the town of Kericho ahead of anti-government protests July 16, 2024.
Image: SCREENGRAB

Armed men have been seen patrolling the town of Kericho ahead of anti-government protests on Tuesday.

They were seen carrying batons as they patrol.

Protesters on social media had earlier scheduled Tuesday as the day of anti-government protests. 

The protesters are demanding better governance and accountability from leaders.

On Monday, Activist Boniface Mwangi confirmed that the peaceful protests will go down as planned until the government takes some form of responsibility for the deceased protesters.

"So let's not think we have won anything yet because we don’t have anything tangible we can say we have won. Why can’t the President call the families of those who died and apologise because he hasn’t done any of that," he said.

The government has acknowledged that at least 25 protesters died during the protests although the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) put the death toll at 41 and 360 injuries.

During the first days of the Gen Z protests on June 18 and June 25, 2024, the protesters occupied the National Assembly.

Organisers of the protests have asked those who will turn out to carry water, a Kenyan flag and a phone.

In Nairobi, a small number of public service vehicles could be seen in operation with most roads clear, a complete departure from the usual congestion.

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