International News
Protests: President Ruto Warns Against Bid To ‘Overthrow’ Kenyan Govt
Kenyan President William Ruto warned on Wednesday against attempts to “overthrow” the government through “unconstitutional means” and ordered the police to shoot violent protesters in the leg, days after 31 people were killed in nationwide anti-government demonstrations.
These are his toughest remarks yet come as the East African nation faces a wave of violent protests over economic stagnation, corruption, and police brutality.
“They want to start chaos, organise protests, burn people’s property, bring disaster so as to overthrow the government before 2027… This is a democratic country,” Ruto told supporters in the capital, Nairobi, speaking in Swahili.
“This country will not be destroyed by a few people who are impatient and want a change of government through unconstitutional means,” he said.
“You cannot sponsor violence and go scot-free,” he added, saying any attacks on the police would be seen as a “declaration of war”.
Ruto, who was elected in 2022, also said violent protesters “should be shot in the leg, be taken to hospital and taken to court”.
The demonstrations began in June last year as a youth-led anti-taxation protest, which subsequently forced the government to withdraw the contested finance bill.
But many of Kenya’s youth are once again engaging in protests, which last month degenerated into looting and violence, killing dozens and destroying thousands of businesses.
They are disillusioned by the economic situation, corruption, and high taxes, as well as police brutality after a teacher died in custody last month.
Fifty-one people have died in protests over the last two months, according to an AFP tally citing rights groups.
Rallies early this week saw hundreds arrested and scores wounded.
Rights groups said 31 people died across the country in the protests, which marked Saba Saba day — meaning Seven Seven — or July 7, 1990, when Kenyans rose to demand a return to multi-party democracy after years of autocratic rule by then-president Daniel arap Moi.
Protesters accuse the authorities of paying armed vandals to discredit their movement, while the government compared a demonstration in June to an “attempted coup”.
Boycott Call
Opposition leaders, including Ruto’s former deputy and ally Rigathi Gachagua, have accused the government of unleashing state-sponsored violence against its citizens, slamming it as “hostile”.
On Tuesday, they called on the public to “boycott all businesses, services and institutions owned, operated or publicly linked to this regime and its enablers”.
Gachagua campaigned for Ruto during the 2022 election, but the two fell out last year, leading to his impeachment.
Ruto’s allies have accused Gachagua of bankrolling violent protests, with some calling for his arrest.
He has denied the accusations.
Marches last month marked the first anniversary of the anti-tax protests that saw young demonstrators breach parliament on June 25, with rights groups saying at least 60 people died in last year’s rallies.
Social media and rising economic expectations have fanned anger over inequalities in a country where around 80 per cent are trapped in informal, poorly paid jobs.
The United Nations said it was “deeply troubled” over the deaths during this week’s protests and that “intentional lethal force by law enforcement officers, including with firearms, should only be used when strictly necessary to protect life from an imminent threat”.
AFP
Jeremy Doku insisted Manchester “will keep on fighting” in the Premier League title race despite their “painful” draw with Everton on Monday.
City drew 3-3 with the Toffees at Hill Dickinson Stadium, with Doku scoring a 97th-minute equaliser, having also scored the opening goal.
Doku’s equaliser (96:49) is City’s third-latest goal on record (since 2006-07) in a Premier League game after John Stones’ strike against Arsenal in September 2024 (97:14) and Gabriel Jesus’ goal against Everton in February 2019 (96:52).
Doku has had a hand in six goals across his last five games for City in all competitions (four goals, two assists), as many as in his previous 22 games combined (one goal, five assists).
The Belgian also created the most chances in the match against Everton (four), completed the most dribbles (5/7) and won the most duels (14/19).
City avoided defeat in a Premier League game despite trailing by 2+ goals as late as the 82nd minute for the first time since March 2012 against Sunderland (3-3).
They went on to win the league title in 2011-12, and Doku believes City can still beat Arsenal to the trophy this season.
“First half, we played well and created a lot of chances. We know if we don’t score those chances, it is going to get difficult at the end,” said Doku.
“Obviously, they are at their own stadium, they create chances, and they are dangerous, and they scored two goals, but I think we gave them the game.
“Good that we came back because one point is not bad in games like this.
“We will see. It feels painful now. There is still a lot of games to go. We lost two points, but we know that one point can be important at the end.
“We will keep on fighting. We owe it to ourselves and to our fans.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Nigerians interested in repatriation from South Africa will be responsible for the cost of their return trip to Nigeria.
The ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, stated this during a press briefing on Monday in Abuja.
The briefing came shortly after a closed-door meeting between the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Dunoma Ahmed, and the South African Acting High Commissioner, Lesoli Machele.
Mr Ebienfa said the process will be self-funded and not state-funded, as it is a voluntary decision that the Nigerian government will only facilitate and coordinate.
In the recent past, such reparations have been sponsored by Nigerian airline owners, particularly Allen Onyema, the CEO of Air Peace.
The Nigerian government, on Sunday, indicated its readiness to repatriate its citizens from South Africa due to xenophobic violence.
The effort primarily targets Nigerians who feel threatened by the xenophobic violence and tension in parts of South Africa, as the protests against black immigrants in the country continue. Two Nigerians were killed last month.
Since the announcement, about 130 Nigerians in South Africa have expressed a willingness to return home voluntarily.
Mr Ebienfa stated that the return of the Nigerians depends on their financial capacity, as they would be expected to fund their trip back home individually.
He said, “Those willing to leave are expected to approach the high commission and, given that their decision is voluntary, have the resources to fund their return to Nigeria.”
The government will not “provide an aircraft from Nigeria to convey them.”
He also noted that the speed of the repatriation process will be determined by the availability of funds.
“Yes, 130 as of this morning have registered, but actualisation would be required to have their flight ticket to move back to Nigeria.”
Mr Ebienfa also explained that Nigerians who have so far expressed interest are motivated either by concerns about threats to their lives or by fear of arrest by South African law enforcement agencies.
“There are two groups of Nigerians who want to come back. One group feels the country is not safe for them and wants to come. They have all their papers intact.
“Then there is also the second group that has travel document violations or resident permit violations. And instead of running away from law enforcement, they are appealing that the government facilitate their movement back to Nigeria,” he explained.
However, he noted that the process is still being worked out and that the government would step in to provide aircraft or other needed assistance if tensions rise and the situation becomes more volatile.
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