Kenya: Opposition wants to continue anti-inflation protests despite ban

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Kenya's opposition has called for protests every Monday and Thursday against the rising cost of living, the latest of which has escalated. Here, a protester throws a stone at police in the Kibera slum, Nairobi, March 20, 2023. © Ben Curtis / AP

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3 min

In Kenya, the protest continues. After the demonstration on Monday 20 March, opposition leader Raila Odinga called for a new rally on Monday 27 March against the high cost of living. Like the previous one that resulted in violent clashes and the death of a protester, this new gathering was declared illegal by the authorities, but opponents are reasserting their right to demonstrate, while inflation reached 9.2% in February.

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With our correspondent in Nairobi, Albane Thirouard

Like the previous one, this new demonstration was declared "illegal" by the chief of police who assured that his services would not allow "violent demonstrations". But Raila Odinga reaffirmed from the church on Sunday, March 26: "We have the right, the Kenyan people have the right, to demonstrate in peace", to denounce the increase in the cost of living, saying that this new ban will not stop him.

This event will take place in peace. The law allows it. To Police Chief Japhet Koome I say don't bring violence, don't try to complicate the situation. You say you want to arrest all the protesters, I'm ready. I will be at the forefront of the demonstrations. If we do not protect the rights and freedoms of Kenyans, we will have no Kenya. Ruto says that we are trying to bring anarchy to the country: no Mr. Ruto, we do not want to create anarchy in our country. But we are fighting for our rights. And we have the right to tell Kenyans the truth. Because that is what we are saying, Mr Ruto. We have the right, the Kenyan people have the right, to protest in peace. I know that you like to express yourself regularly when you are in church, I answer you from church. With my coalition, Azimio, we are ready.

Kenyan opposition leader Raila Odinga vows to protest peacefully despite ban

Albane Thirouard

Monday's demonstrations had escalated. Riot police fired tear gas and water cannons against protesters who threw stones and set tires on fire. One student was killed by police forces in the west of the country, 31 police officers were injured and more than 200 people arrested.

Traders hit hard

Inflation reached 9.2% in February. The Kenyan shilling has fallen to an all-time low against the dollar, losing 13% in one year. The country is also facing a shortage of US currency. As a result, Kenyans are suffering from soaring prices.

From his second-hand clothing stall at the market in Toi, Jared Omuse is worried about it and will close his business for fear of overflows. Yet he understands the anger of the protesters: the depreciation of the Kenyan shilling and inflation have hit his imported second-hand clothes business hard.

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Prices have increased by about 60%. Right now, it's so expensive that it's hard to buy and resell at a full profit. We are forced to reduce our margins to maintain our prices and avoid losing our customers," he explains.

The 28-year-old salesman hopes the protests will push the government to take further action against inflation.

« Eight dollars allowed me to last a week, now it's just over two days. »

A few streets away, Philip Ayeko waits for his customers on his motorcycle taxi: he too deplores the soaring prices.

« The fuel is too high, and so is the cost of living. Two months ago, the equivalent of eight dollars allowed me to last a week, now it is just over two days. I would like to increase my rates, but customers will not be happy. They are already rare, most of them fall back on buses. »

Philip will not, however, answer the call of the opponent Raïla Odinga. And deplores the impact of these protests on its work. According to a poll by the Tifa Institute, although half of Kenyans believe the country is in a bad economic situation, only a third say they support the protests.

A law setting a limit on the number of demonstrators

Raila Odinga has called for demonstrations every Monday and Thursday. President William Ruto urged him on Thursday (March 23rd) to "stop terrorizing the country" and end the protests.

The interior minister also announced on Sunday that he intended to push for the introduction of a new law in parliament, which would put in place new rules governing demonstrations, including a limit on the number of participants.

To deal with the dollar crisis, President William Ruto has announced that oil companies will now buy their fuel in Kenyan shillings. But Kenya is also facing severe drought, which is contributing to rising food prices. And the weakening of Kenya's currency has also increased the repayment costs of loans to Kenya.

► Read also Kenya: rising tensions between Ruto and Odinga, in the run-up to an opposition demonstration

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• Kenya
• William Ruto
• Economic crisis
• Economy
• Economy Africa