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 most of businesses remained closed ahead of planned anti-government protests Police officers were stopping private and general vehicles from accessing the city center They were also blocking most of 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 major date in Kenya s newest 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 Institution Minister Geoffrey Ruku had urged all establishment employees to summary to work on Monday insisting that the demonstrations would not disrupt general services Interior Minister Kipchumba Murkomen declared on Sunday that the cabinet would not tolerate violent protests and that police would be deployed to ensure masses 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 in recent weeks 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 residents 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