Protests in Kenya Met with Police Arrests

Kenyan police fired tear gas and arrested several opposition politicians amid protests by hundreds of people against President William Ruto, the rising cost of living, and last year's elections which were marred by allegations of fraud. Rival candidate Raila Odinga, who lost to President Ruto in the August election, urged nationwide protests, attempting to capitalize on the discontent with the president. Riot police officers deployed tear gas against hundreds of protesters who were throwing stones in the Kibera neighborhood of the capital, Nairobi, chanting "Ruto must go." This occurred as demonstrators attempted to gather in the central business district, where Odinga had called for a march toward the president's residence, according to Reuters. Denis Onyango, a spokesperson for Odinga, stated that at least four members of parliament were arrested during the protests in Nairobi, including minority leaders in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.