Police block roads and businesses close ahead of planned protests in Kenya

NAIROBI Kenya AP Police blocked major roads leading into Kenya s capital Nairobi and largest part businesses remained closed ahead of planned anti-government protests Police officers were stopping private and residents vehicles from accessing the city center They were also blocking bulk pedestrians from entering the capital only allowing through those deemed to have essential duties Kenyans had planned demonstrations on July to protest police brutality poor governance and to demand President William Ruto s resignation over alleged corruption and the high cost of living July is a critical date in Kenya s latest history marking the first major protests years ago that called for a transition from a one-party state to a multiparty democracy which was realized in the elections Constituents Utility Minister Geoffrey Ruku had urged all governing body employees to overview to work on Monday insisting that the demonstrations would not disrupt inhabitants services Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen mentioned on Sunday that the cabinet would not tolerate violent protests and that police would be deployed to ensure populace safety The roads leading to the country s parliament and the president s office were barricaded using razor wire In the outskirts of the city in Kitengela town police fired tear gas Monday to disperse protesters who had lit bonfires on the road that connects to neighboring Tanzania The country has not long ago experienced a wave of violent demonstrations initially sparked by calls for police accountability following the death of a blogger in police custody During protests on June a civilian was shot at close range by police officers further angering the populace and prompting plans for additional demonstrations On June at least people were killed and more than injured during protests against police brutality which were timed to coincide with the one-year anniversary of anti-tax protests where over people lost their lives Source