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☆ Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya win the New York City Marathon
▼ + stars: | 2024-11-03 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms Ap-Live-Blog-Byline-Image.Png | The Associated Press | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

NEW YORK — Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands won the men’s race at the New York City Marathon on Sunday and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya took the women’s event. Chepkirui was running New York for the first time and pulled away from defending champion Hellen Obiri in the women’s race. Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui crosses the finish line to win the women's elite race in the New York City Marathon on Sunday. The weather was perfect to run in with temperatures in the lower 40s when the race started. Last year, it was 61 degrees when the race started.

Persons: Abdi Nageeye, Sheila Chepkirui, Nageeye, Evans Chebet, Chebet, Chepkirui, Hellen Obiri, Obiri, Kenya's Sheila Chepkirui, Andrew Kelly, Reuters Obiri, Mary Keitany, Vivian Cheruiyot, Tamirat Tola, Albert Korir, Conner Mantz, Sara Vaughn, Vaughn, Marcel Hug, Daniel Romanchuk, Susannah Scaroni Organizations: New York City Marathon, Reuters, Kenya, Paris Olympic, Chicago Locations: Netherlands, Kenya, Central, New York, COVID, Staten Island, Central Park

☆ Roam electric motorcycle completes solar-powered 6,000-kilometer journey through Africa
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-31 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

CNN —An electric motorcycle, made by Swedish-Kenyan manufacturer Roam completed a 6,000-kilometer (3,700-mile) journey from Nairobi, Kenya, to Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 17 days, using only solar power. “(We wanted) to break a lot of boundaries on how traversing through sub-Saharan Africa is possible without pre-installed charging infrastructure,” Masa Kituyi, Roam product owner and one of the riders on the expedition, tells CNN. However, he insists that this mammoth journey would still be possible for people without a solar support car. Lewis SeymourAccelerating marketThe journey was a collaborative effort between Roam and Stellenbosch University, which launched an Electric Mobility Lab this month, dedicated to advancing sustainable transport solutions. Low operating costs are a key driver, analysts from Mordor told CNN in an email: “Electricity is generally cheaper than gasoline, and electric motorcycles have fewer mechanical parts.

Persons: Masa, Masa Kituyi, Lewis Seymour Kituyi, Stephan Lacock, ”, he’s, Lewis Seymour, Rwanda’s Ampersand, Spiro Organizations: CNN, Stellenbosch University, Electric Mobility, Intelligence Locations: Swedish, Kenyan, Nairobi, Kenya, Stellenbosch, South Africa, Africa, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Victoria Falls, Chobe, China, Rwanda, Benin, Togo, Uganda, Nigeria, EVs

☆ Chick-fil-A is releasing its own entertainment app, with family-friendly shows and podcasts
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-21 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

A sign hangs outside of a Chick-fil-A restaurant on May 06, 2021 in Chicago, Illinois. Chick-fil-A plans to launch a new app on Nov. 18, with a slate of original animated shows, scripted podcasts, games, recipes and e-books aimed at families. And for the last five years, it's released animated shorts on YouTube during the holiday season as part of its "Stories of Evergreen Hills" series. Why Chick-fil-A is betting on contentPeople walk past a Chick-fil-A restaurant on 8th Avenue on December 30, 2023, in New York City. Restaurants as media brandsA Chick-fil-A meal is displayed at a Chick-fil-A restaurant on June 01, 2023 in Novato, California.

Persons: Scott Olson, –, it's, We've, we've, Dustin Britt, Chick, Gary Hershorn, Khalilah Cooper, McDonald's, Cooper, We're, Britt, Justin Sullivan Organizations: Getty, U.S, YouTube, CNBC, Evergreen, Corbis, Lions Locations: Chicago , Illinois, mealtime, Evergreen Hills, New York City, Novato , California

☆ DNA reveals surprises trapped in teeth of ‘Tsavo man-eater’ lions
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-11 | by ( Ashley Strickland | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Thomas Gnoske, a collections manager at the museum, first spotted thousands of hairs trapped within the lions’ teeth when he examined their skulls in the 1990s. “Our analysis showed that the historic Tsavo lions preyed on giraffe, human, oryx, waterbuck, wildebeest, and zebra, and we also identified hairs that originated from lions. The Tsavo lions were maneless, like this adult male lion. The combined efforts opened a treasure trove of data about the lions’ prey as well as about the predators themselves. “It suggests that the Tsavo lions may have either traveled farther than previously believed, or that wildebeest were present in the Tsavo region during that time,” de Flamingh said.

Persons: John Henry Patterson, Patterson, Thomas Gnoske, ”, Alida de Flamingh, Gnoske, Julian Kerbis Peterhans, Kerbis Peterhans, David Sewell, Kerbis, Nduhiu, de Flamingh, Ripan, Andrew Wasike, Flamingh, ” de Flamingh, “ Patterson, John Warburton, Lee, Aditya Dicky Singh, Malhi, Love Dalén, Dalén, wasn’t, ” Gnoske Organizations: CNN, Uganda Railway, Chicago’s Field, Field Museum, University of Illinois, Field, The, Roosevelt University, Alamy, National Museums of, University of Nairobi, Anadolu Agency, Getty, Stockholm University, “ Locations: Kenya, Uganda, University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign, Chicago, Samburu, National Museums of Kenya, Tsavo, Cape, Africa

☆ Germany opens its doors to 250,000 Kenyan workers in controlled migration deal
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-14 | by ( Sophie Tanno | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —Germany has struck a controlled migration deal with Kenya, which will see Berlin open its doors to skilled and semi-skilled Kenyan workers. The deal was signed by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Kenya’s president William Ruto on Friday. Migration is a major flashpoint in Germany, and has fueled the rise of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. As well as deterring irregular migration, the deal is intended to address labor market needs in both countries, providing opportunities for Kenyan workers while supplementing an ageing Gemany’s shortage of skilled laborers. According to the German government, there are currently around 14,800 Kenyan citizens living in Germany.

Persons: Olaf Scholz, William Ruto, Ruto, Nancy Faeser, ”, “ Organizations: CNN, German, Ministry, ISIS Locations: Germany, Kenya, Berlin, Solingen

CNN —When Joan Chelimo first met Rebecca Cheptegei, she remembers her fellow distance runner simply as a “normal, happy girl,” delighted to be competing at the Olympics. The pair had started talking after competing in the women’s marathon in Paris last month, Chelimo representing Romania and Cheptegei running for Uganda. On Friday, a day before Cheptegei’s funeral in eastern Uganda, Tirop’s Angels hosted a femicide walk in the Kenyan city of Eldoret. There have been plenty of challenges along the way for those involved in Tirop’s Angels, particularly in the early days. “The first time we started Tirop’s Angels, we had a lot of rejection,” says Chelimo.

Persons: Joan Chelimo, Rebecca Cheptegei, ”, “, Chelimo, ” Weeks, Cheptegei, Dickson Ndiema, jerry, Ndiema, I’ve, It’s, ” Chelimo, Mattia Ozbot, ‘ I’m, ’, Agnes Tirop, Ibrahim Rotich, Rotich, Dylan Martinez, …, Andrew Kasuku, Mutua, Agnes, Joseph, –, ” –, “ I’m Organizations: CNN, Olympics, CNN Sport, Ndiema, Athletics, Tirop’s Angels, Kenyan, Reuters, ”, Investigations Locations: Paris, Chelimo, Romania, Uganda, Kenya, Trans Nzoia, Rome, Africa, Budapest, Kenyan, Eldoret, Angels, Angola

☆ Ex-partner accused of fatally burning Olympian dies from injuries sustained in attack
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Https | Media-Cldnry.S-Nbcnews.Com Image Upload Newscms | ) www.nbcnews.com time to read: +2 min

Cheptegei, 33, who competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, suffered burns to more than 75% of her body in the Sept. 1 attack and died four days later. “He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained,” Lang’at told Reuters. Local media reported that he had suffered 30% burns when he assaulted Cheptegei as she was returning home from church with her children. Cheptegei, who finished 44th in Paris, is the third elite sportswoman to be killed in Kenya since October 2021. Globally, a woman is killed by someone in her own family every 11 minutes, according to a 2023 U.N. Women study.

Persons: Rebecca Cheptegei, dousing, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, Daniel Lang’at, Cheptegei, “, ” Lang’at, ”, Viola Cheptoo, ” Cheptoo, Cheptoo, Agnes Tirop, Ibrahim Rotich Organizations: Kenyan, Paris, Moi Teaching, Reuters, Local, Rights, Tirop’s Locations: Cheptegei, Eldoret, Kenya, Paris, East, Iten

☆ Rebecca Cheptegei: Alleged killer of Ugandan Olympian dies from burns, hospital says
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-10 | by ( Story Reuters | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

Cheptegei, 33, who competed in the marathon at the Paris Olympics, suffered burns to more than 75% of her body in the Sept. 1 attack and died four days later. ET) on Monday, said Daniel Lang’at, a spokesperson at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital in Eldoret in western Kenya, where Cheptegei was also treated and died. “He died from his injuries, the burns he sustained,” Lang’at told Reuters. Local media reported that he had suffered 30% burns when he assaulted Cheptegei as she was returning home from church with her children. Cheptegei, who finished 44th in Paris, is the third elite sportswoman to be killed in Kenya since October 2021.

Persons: Rebecca Cheptegei, dousing, Dickson Ndiema Marangach, Daniel Lang’at, Cheptegei, “, ” Lang’at, ”, Viola Cheptoo, ” Cheptoo, Cheptoo, Agnes Tirop, Ibrahim Rotich Organizations: Reuters, Kenyan, Paris, Moi Teaching, Local, Rights, Tirop’s Locations: Cheptegei, Eldoret, Kenya, Paris, East, Iten

Since the arrival in late June of a foreign police force known as the Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, criminal attacks here have slowed. But in “red zones” across the city and beyond, a new war is just beginning, as gangs test the still-forming MSS. In other words, the MSS mission has no time to lose. CNNThis mission is designed to break the mold; unlike previous peacekeeping missions in Haiti, the MSS is independent of the United Nations. To dismantle Chen Mechan,’” he said listing the nicknames of notorious Port-au-Prince gang bosses.

Persons: Prince, Toussaint Louverture, Bob Marley’s, ”, Evelio Contreras, Garry Conille –, ” –, Conille, Garry Conille, ” Conille, Prince’s Toussaint, Godfrey Otunge, he’s, Haitian National Police Rameau Normil, ” Otunge, it’s, Al, “, Lamercie, ” Estinfort, –, Mawozo, “ I’m, Lanmo, Chen Mechan, ’ ”, Biden, Haiti Dennis Hankins, CNN he’s, Hankins, ” Hankins, we’re Organizations: Prince CNN —, Haitian National Police, Multinational Security, CNN CNN, CNN, United Nations ’, UNICEF, Regional, CARICOM, State University of Haiti Hospital, “, ” Police, Planet Airways, Kenyans, Kenyan, United Nations, UN, Troops, hasn’t, Normil, Institut, MSS, US, Haitian, Haitian Justice Department, Prisons, IBESR Locations: Washington, Port, Kenya, Kenyan, Haiti, Caribbean, Florida, downtown Port, Prince, Haitian, Jamaica, Benin, Chad, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, United States, France, Canada, South Korea, Italy, India, Al Shabaab, US, city’s, Ganthier, Barbeque

☆ Tamirat Tola wins captivating Olympic marathon for Ethiopia
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-10 | by ( Matthew Futterman | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

Tola surged clear and never looked back (Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)After letting the little-known Eyob Faniel of Italy lead for most of the first half of the race, Tola made his first move just before the halfway mark. Tola crossed the line an Olympic record time (Andrej Isakovic/AFP via Getty Images)Most remarkably, Tola didn’t even make the Ethiopian team originally. “I trained hard so I could win,” Tola said. Even his compatriot, Kenenisa Bekele, one of the most decorated Ethiopian distance runners but at 42 nearing the end of his career, was gushing after finishing 39th. “Not easy to win the Olympic Games,” he said, in perhaps the understatement of the past two weeks in Paris.

Persons: Tamirat Tola, Tola, Cameron Spencer, ”, Bikila, Bikele, Belgium’s Bashir Abdi, Kenya’s Benson Kipruto, Eliud, victoire appartient, Napoleon, Roland Garros, Andrej Isakovic, Tola didn’t, “, ” Tola, Connor Mantz, Akira Akasaki, ” Mantz, Clayton Young, Abdi, Kenenisa Bekele, ” Bekele, Denisa Geleta, Kipruto Organizations: “, East, Getty, Ethiopian, Boston Marathon, Olympic Locations: Ethiopia, Invalides, Paris, Versailles, Eugene , Ore, New York, Italy, Rome, Tokyo, Kenya, AFP, Japan

☆ This remote, mystical forest has been protected for centuries. Now it’s under threat
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-09 | by ( Nell Lewis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +17 min

He and most of the community believe it is their duty to protect it – and in turn, they believe the forest will protect them. In photos: The plants and animals of Naimina Enkiyio Prev NextShared landIn a shady clearing, a group of Maasai elders sit in a circle on the grass. Peter Achammer/Helicopter Charter EA Ltd.For centuries, local communities have protected the forest, but today they are facing new threats. As the culture modernizes, Maasai elders fear this will be forgotten. “We shall protect the forest so that we retain this fresh air for our communities and also everyone in the world,” he says.

Persons: CNN — Naimina, Ntirua, Obibi, ”, Nell Lewis, CNN Ntirua Koikai, Enkiyio, Mara, Rob O’Meara, Sarah, Kirk's dik, dik, Peter Achammer, Ole Koikai, Ntirua Koikai, Mbuvi Musingo, “, O’Meara, “ We’re, Josephat Olokula, sparky, you’re, “ I’m, Ntasikoi Oloimoeja, Oloimoeja Organizations: CNN, Initiative, Hansen Global, Forest Guardians, Guardians, Government, Helicopter Charter EA, Kenya Forestry Research Institute, ” Locations: “, Kenya, Nairobi, Mara, Narok

☆ What to watch at Olympics today: Simone Biles’ final act in Paris and 15-foot drops in a kayak
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Hunter Patterson | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +6 min

The Paris Olympics are entering their final week already, with the closing ceremonies just six days away. ET, 4:55 p.m. in Paris (women’s final); 11 a.m. ET, 10 p.m. in Paris (women’s final), 4:30 p.m. AdvertisementSurfing gold up for grabsAmerican Caroline Marks is one of four surfers looking to earn the women’s gold medal. 100M GOLD MEDALIST.

Persons: — Simone Biles, —, Biles, Lee, Chiles, Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jordan Chiles, Jade Carey, “, ”, V:, ault, abby, homas,, aris, arn, risa H ennessy, ake Organizations: Paris, USA, Olympics, aris, edina, ust Locations: Paris, Los Angeles

☆ How Norway Became a Powerhouse for All Seasons
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-05 | by ( Rory Smith | David B. Torch | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

As the runners hit the penultimate bend, the racing pulse of the music starts to beat faster. The choice, and the timing, are perfect: Darude’s now semi-ancient trance track “Sandstorm.” But very few of the 15,000 in attendance can hear any of it. Ingebrigtsen, sensing the crowd’s desperation, digs deep and then, at the last, dives forward, feet off the ground, to beat his rival to the line. Norway’s annual celebration of track and field, the Bislett Games, has been a highlight of the country’s sporting calendar for more than half a century. For a long time, though, its headline acts were imported; once, organizers committed a significant portion of their appearance budget to Usain Bolt to persuade him to come.

Persons: Jakob Ingebrigtsen, Timothy Cheruiyot, Bolt Organizations: Bislett Locations: Oslo, Kenya

Some leading business executives say they don’t know quite what to think of Vice President Kamala Harris. She has been meeting with groups of corporate executives roughly every two months at her residence in Washington, according to two executives who have met with her. When a state dinner was held for President William Ruto of Kenya in May, Ms. Harris spoke with businesspeople about economic topics including access to labor and worker training, one attendee said. And a month earlier, she attended an event at the Colette Club on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan arranged by Charles Phillips, a business executive and a longtime backer. Before about 30 Black business leaders — a group with which she has tried to build particularly strong relationships — Ms. Harris spoke for roughly 40 minutes, without notes or a teleprompter, on economic topics including job creation, inflation and global trade, and then took questions.

Persons: Kamala Harris, William Ruto of, Harris, Charles Phillips, —, “, Mr, Phillips, ” Organizations: Democratic, Club Locations: Washington, William Ruto of Kenya, Midtown Manhattan

☆ Kenya’s President Ruto fires almost entire cabinet after protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-07-11 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

Nairobi, Kenya CNN —Kenyan President William Ruto has fired almost his entire cabinet after weeks of anti-government protests, he announced Thursday. Only Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi have been left in their posts, the president said. The decision was taken “upon reflection, and a holistic appraisal” of his cabinet, he told reporters from State House Nairobi. “Even with the progress we’ve made, I’m acutely aware that the people of Kenya have very high expectations of me, and they believe that this administration can undertake the most extensive transformation in our nation’s history,” he said. More to come

Persons: William Ruto, Rigathi Gachagua, Musalia Mudavadi, ” Organizations: Kenya CNN — Kenyan, State House Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, State House Nairobi, “

☆ Scaled-Back but Determined Protests in Kenya Call for President to Resign
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Protesters returned to the streets of Kenya on Thursday, some of them demanding the resignation of President William Ruto, despite his announcement a day earlier that he was abandoning a tax bill that drew large-scale demonstrations in which nearly two dozen people were killed. On Thursday, a heavy police and military presence was visible across the capital, with officers in cars and trucks and on horseback guarding the roads leading to Parliament, the president’s official residence and several downtown streets. Much of the central business district remained closed as police officers chased and tear-gassed smaller crowds waving white roses. Some activists and opposition political leaders had urged demonstrators not to march toward the president’s official residence in Nairobi on Thursday for fear of more bloodshed. But others said the killings, shootings and abductions of those opposing the tax increases in recent days — which activists said were some of the bloodiest days in Kenya’s recent history — would not deter them from pushing Mr. Ruto to resign.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto Locations: Kenya, Nairobi

☆ Kenya rocked by fresh protests despite president’s U-turn over tax bill
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-27 | by ( Nimi Princewill | Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —Police in Kenya fired tear gas on protesters as a fresh wave of demonstrations swept the country, despite President William Ruto’s U-turn on controversial tax plans. In a surprise move on Wednesday, Ruto said he would not sign the finance bill, saying he had been “listening keenly” to the Kenyan people. “It’s more than about the finance bill now,” Maria, a Kenyan protestor from Nairobi told CNN. Some have called on President Ruto to resign for failing to withdraw the unpopular bill much earlier to save the lives lost. Others are seeking justice for the deceased protesters and demanding the recall of lawmakers who voted in support of the finance bill.

Persons: William Ruto’s U, ”, Ruto, ” Maria, Daniel Irungu, “, Mwangi, Moody’s, Herman Manyora, ” Manyora, ” Ruto, Manyora Organizations: CNN — Police, House, Security, State House, Kenyan, CNN, Civic, Law Society of Kenya, Monetary Fund, International, University of Nairobi Locations: Kenya, Nairobi, East, Kenya’s

☆ Kenya president backs down on tax rises after deadly protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +3 min

Kenya's president on Wednesday withdrew planned tax rises, bowing to pressure from protesters who had stormed parliament, launched demonstrations across the country and threatened more action this week. "Listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this finance bill 2024, I concede. And therefore, I will not sign the 2024 finance bill, and it shall subsequently be withdrawn," he said in a televised address. Thousands took to the streets of Nairobi and several other cities during two days of protests last week as an online movement gathered momentum. Protests in Kenya have usually been called by political leaders who can be amenable to negotiated settlements.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto, Ruto's, Lawmakers Organizations: Wednesday, Kenyan, IMF, The Nation, Kenya Medical, Medical, Protesters, State, World Bank, International Monetary Fund Locations: Kenya, Eldoret, Nairobi

☆ Kenyan President Ruto withdraws controversial finance bill following violent protests
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Lauren Kent | Stephanie Busari | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Kenyan President William Ruto said Wednesday that he will not sign a controversial finance bill that had sparked deadly protests in the country and left at least six people dead. “Having reflected on the continuing conversation regarding the content of the finance bill 2024, and listening keenly to the people of Kenya who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with this Finance Bill 2024, I concede, and therefore I will not sign the 2024 finance bill,” Ruto said during a television address Wednesday. But the concessions were not enough to quell protests amid the rising cost of living. On Tuesday they turned deadly when security forces fired teargas and live ammunition at protesters. “I send my condolences to the families of those who lost their loved ones in this very unfortunate manner,” Ruto added.

Persons: William Ruto, ” Ruto, “, teargas, Ruto Organizations: CNN, Kenyan Locations: Kenya

☆ Behind the Unrest in Kenya, a Staggering and Painful National Debt
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-26 | by ( Patricia Cohen | Keith Bradsher | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

The underlying cause, though, are the billions of dollars their government owes its creditors. Kenya has the fastest growing economy in Africa and a vibrant business center. Interest payments alone are eating up 27 percent of the revenue collected. But the debts that are causing misery in Kenya and across Africa remain. More than half the people on the continent live in countries that spend more on interest payments than they do on health or education.

Persons: William Ruto Organizations: United Nations Conference, Trade, Development Locations: Kenya, Africa

☆ Live Updates: Casualties Reported as Police Fire on Protesters in Kenya
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +7 min

The police used live fire and tear gas on protesters who marched on the Parliament building in an attempt to stop a vote on a contentious finance bill. The police used tear gas in an attempt to keep the protesters from approaching Parliament, and the sound of live fire rang out. Before Tuesday’s demonstration, several activists who are prominent critics of the bill were abducted, according to the Law Society of Kenya. But protesters have denounced other taxes, including on imported goods, and have urged the government to abandon the draft legislation. Image President William Ruto promised to be a champion of the poor, but critics say his administration has been marred by extravagant spending.

Persons: Faith Odhiambo, Odhiambo, Martha Koome, ”, Kasmuel McOure, William Ruto, Urs Flueeler, Ruto, Instagram, Mike, “, Kimani Ichung’wah, It’s, Anita Barasa, McOure, Mr Organizations: Amnesty International, Law Society of Kenya, Mr, Kenyan, Observers, KFC, Protesters Locations: Nairobi, Kenya, East, reneging, ”

☆ Anti-Tax Riots Rock Kenya, as President Vows Crackdown on ‘Treasonous’ Protesters
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | Declan Walsh | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and some broke into Parliament and briefly set fire to the entrance on Tuesday, after lawmakers approved tax increases that critics said would drive up the cost of living for millions. During the protests, the police fired tear gas and guns, plunging the capital into turmoil. At least five people were fatally shot and 31 others injured, according to Amnesty International and several prominent Kenyan civic organizations. The independent Kenya Human Rights Commission posted a video that showed police officers firing as protesters marched toward them. As tear gas wafted through the streets, some protesters climbed through the windows of Parliament after lawmakers voted 195 to 106 in favor of the tax bill on Tuesday, with supporters saying it would raise revenue for education and other essential services.

Persons: William Ruto, Ruto, ” Organizations: Amnesty International, Kenyan, Kenya Human Rights Locations: Kenya’s, Nairobi, Kenya

Photographs and news agency reports showed protesters clashing in the streets of Kenyan capital Nairobi on Tuesday, as the African state passed a controversial finance bill set to raise national taxes. Kenya's Human Rights Commission on Tuesday shared a video of officers shooting at protesters, calling for accountability. At least 50 people were injured by gunfire during the latest demonstrations, Reuters reported, citing a local paramedic outside of the parliament. The news agency further said sections of the parliament building were set on fire, as the compound was stormed. Blood has already been shed in similar protests, after two people died in separate demonstrations held last week, the Associated Press reported.

Organizations: Kenyan, Rights, Reuters, CNBC, Kenyan Police Service, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Associated Press Locations: Nairobi, Kenya

☆ Protests Driven by Younger People Aim to Push Kenya to Scrap Tax Rises
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-25 | by ( Abdi Latif Dahir | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Before Tuesday’s demonstration, several activists who are prominent critics of the bill were abducted, according to the Law Society of Kenya. The abductors’ identities were not publicly known, but some were believed to be intelligence officers, said the Law Society’s president, Faith Odhiambo. Lawmakers in Parliament are set to debate and vote on proposed amendments to the bill on Tuesday. President William Ruto’s governing alliance has enough votes to pass it, although opposition leaders have rejected the measure in its totality. Once the bill has parliamentary approval, Mr. Ruto can sign it into law or send it back for amendments.

Persons: Faith Odhiambo, William Ruto’s, Ruto Organizations: Amnesty International, Law Society of Kenya Locations: Kenya, East

☆ Kenya: Concerns over missing protesters as country erupts in tax hike demonstrations
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-24 | by ( Larry Madowo | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Concerns are mounting in Kenya as reports emerge of protesters going missing amid nationwide demonstrations against proposed tax increases in the Finance Bill 2024. The protest movement has gained significant traction through social media, where organizers have called on all Kenyans to participate in the nationwide strike. The country’s interior minister has warned that demonstrations must end by sunset or 6.30 p.m local time, whichever is earlier. Kindami did not respond to concerns about a few prominent social media users who have been reported missing in recent days. The Law Society of Kenya’s President, Faith Odhiambo, described the incident as an abduction and accused intelligence officers of misconduct.

Persons: Gen Z, ”, Kithure Kindami, ” Kindami, Faith Odhiambo, Odhiambo, Babu Owino, “ Organizations: CNN, Law Society of Kenya’s, Law Society of Kenya, National Assembly Locations: Kenya, ”, Kenya’s, Nairobi, Kindami, policymaking

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