Kenya, once a rising star on the fast-track to becoming a first-world country, has been spiraling out of control this past year, weathering a series of violent protests, political purges, and even suspected assassinations.

 

Public Anger Boils Over in July

On July 11, President William Ruto dismissed almost his entire cabinet, including all ministers and the attorney general. Days later, Inspector-General of Police Japhet Koome resigned amid criticism for his handling of protests a month earlier. In June, peaceful protests against a proposed tax increase turned violent when citizens stormed and set fire to the parliament. The police responded by firing into the crowd, killing 39 protesters. The protests, overwhelmingly organized and fueled by young people via social media, were sparked by a finance bill aiming to increase taxes to manage the country’s debts. The bill stirred widespread outrage because these new taxes would significantly raise the prices of everyday necessities which most Kenyans struggle to afford.