The demonstrators were called by Raila Odinga, an unsuccessful candidate in last August’s presidential elections, who is demanding the resignation of President William Ruto and his ascesion to to the presidency, to protest against the increase in taxes and the high cost of living.

Authorities prohibited the protests as soon as Azimio the Umoja (in the indigenous Swahili language) or One Kenya Coalition, made up of 23 parties, announced them, but Odinga urged his followers to go ahead as planned.

Social and humanitarian organizations criticized what they described as excessive use of force by the police, and official media accused the demonstrators of attacking innocent bystanders and taking advantage of the disorder to loot stores.

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