The initial trigger was the Finance Bill 2024 which aimed to raise taxes, which President Ruto later withdrew due to public outcry.
Despite this, the protests have continued, fueled by accusations of corruption, misgovernance, and a severe cost-of-living crisis
The protests have seen violent clashes between demonstrators and police, with the latter using tear gas and live ammunition to disperse crowds.
Reports indicate that at least 50 people have died and many more have been injured since the protests began.
Protesters, primarily from the younger generation, are still calling for a “total shutdown” of the country to pressure the Head of State to step down. They accuse the government of failing to address their grievances and demand accountability and better governance.
Despite dismissing nearly his entire cabinet in response to the protests, Ruto’s actions did not quell the public’s anger.
The President also nominated most of the CSs that he had earlier for dismissed reappointment adding to the public fury.
On Thursday, July 25, 2024, opposition leader Raila Odinga said the demands outlined by ODM to President Ruto included compensation to the families of victims of extra-judicial executions and persons injured by the state since last year, the release of all persons in custody and the termination of all cases related to protests since last year, and the prosecution of policemen involved in the shooting to kill or maim protestors.