At least 8 dead in Kenya protests against police brutality and poor governance – Courthouse News Service

Report on Kenya’s Nationwide Protests and Their Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Overview of the Protests

On Wednesday, Kenya witnessed widespread protests across 23 of its 47 counties, resulting in at least eight fatalities and over 80 individuals receiving specialized medical treatment, including gunshot wounds. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, a state-funded body, reported more than 400 injuries and over 60 arrests during these demonstrations.

The protests marked the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations that previously resulted in 60 deaths and 20 missing persons. Demonstrators expressed grievances related to police brutality, poor governance, corruption, and the rising cost of living.

Key Locations and Government Response

• Parliament and the President’s office in Nairobi were heavily barricaded with razor wire and police blockades.
• Protests spread to major cities including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nyahururu.
• Police employed tear gas, live rounds, and batons against protesters, leading to multiple injuries.
• Access to central business districts was restricted, and businesses remained closed in Nairobi.
• The Communication Authority banned live coverage of the demonstrations and disrupted some television signals.

Protesters’ Demands and Public Sentiment

The protests evolved into calls for President William Ruto’s resignation, citing issues such as:

1. Police brutality and excessive use of force.
2. Corruption within the government.
3. Economic hardships including the rising cost of living.
4. Accountability for the death of a blogger in police custody.

Young Kenyans utilized social media platforms to organize and commemorate those who died during last year’s protests.

Government and Leadership Statements

• President William Ruto urged citizens to avoid destruction and emphasized national responsibility.
• Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura declared the protest day a “normal working day” and discouraged demonstrations.
• Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja announced restrictions on unauthorized access to protected zones such as Parliament and the Statehouse.

Human Rights and Civil Society Perspectives

• Independent Medico-Legal Unit highlighted the need for peaceful mourning and respect for human rights.
• Human rights groups condemned the suppression of media coverage and police violence.
• Political analysts described protesters as “heroes” and advocated for collaborative commemoration efforts.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

• The protests underscore the urgent need for effective governance, accountability, and reduction of police brutality.
• Calls for justice for victims of violence and improved law enforcement practices align with SDG 16 targets.
• Government actions such as banning live coverage and restricting protests highlight challenges in ensuring inclusive decision-making and freedom of expression.

SDG 1: No Poverty and SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

• Economic grievances related to taxation, corruption, and rising living costs reflect ongoing struggles to reduce poverty and inequality.
• Youth dissatisfaction points to the need for inclusive economic growth and equitable resource distribution.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The high number of injuries and fatalities during protests emphasize the importance of ensuring the right to health and safety.
• Specialized medical treatment for injured protesters aligns with SDG 3’s focus on access to quality healthcare services.

SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

• Disruptions to businesses and communication infrastructure during protests highlight vulnerabilities in resilient infrastructure and the need for sustainable urban development.

Recommendations for Sustainable Progress

1. Enhance governance transparency and accountability to rebuild public trust (SDG 16).
2. Implement reforms to curb police brutality and protect human rights (SDG 16).
3. Address economic inequalities through inclusive policies targeting youth employment and poverty reduction (SDG 1 and SDG 10).
4. Ensure access to healthcare and emergency services during civil unrest (SDG 3).
5. Promote freedom of expression and media access to support informed citizenry (SDG 16).

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • The article discusses police brutality, human rights violations, protests against poor governance, and calls for accountability, all of which relate directly to SDG 16.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • The protests are driven by issues such as corruption, rising cost of living, and social injustice affecting Kenyan youth, highlighting inequality concerns.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • The article mentions injuries, deaths, and specialized medical treatment during protests, indicating concerns about health and well-being.
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • References to government institutions such as Parliament and statehouse barricades, and disruptions to business activities relate indirectly to governance and infrastructure stability.
5. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Although not explicitly mentioned, the involvement of women protesters (e.g., Rose Murugi) implies gender participation in governance and social justice issues.

2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Identified Based on the Article’s Content

1. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law at the national and international levels and ensure equal access to justice for all.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
   • Target 16.10: Ensure public access to information and protect fundamental freedoms, in accordance with national legislation and international agreements.
2. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
   • Target 10.2: Empower and promote the social, economic and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion or economic or other status.
3. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
   • Target 3.8: Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection and access to quality essential health-care services.
   • Target 3.4: Reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being (implied through trauma and injuries during protests).
4. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
   • Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure, including regional and transborder infrastructure, to support economic development and human well-being.
5. SDG 5: Gender Equality
   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decision-making in political, economic and public life.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article to Measure Progress Towards the Identified Targets

1. SDG 16 Indicators
   • 16.1.1: Number of victims of intentional homicide per 100,000 population, by sex and age (implied through reported deaths and injuries during protests).
   • 16.3.1: Proportion of victims of violence in the previous 12 months who reported their victimization to competent authorities or other officially recognized conflict resolution mechanisms (implied through arrests and police actions).
   • 16.6.2: Proportion of population satisfied with their last experience of public services (implied dissatisfaction with governance and police services).
   • 16.10.1: Number of verified cases of killing, kidnapping, enforced disappearance, arbitrary detention and torture of journalists, associated media personnel, trade unionists and human rights advocates (implied by the death of a blogger in custody and media restrictions).
2. SDG 10 Indicators
   • 10.2.1: Proportion of people living below 50 per cent of median income, by age, sex and persons with disabilities (implied by protests against rising cost of living and inequality).
3. SDG 3 Indicators
   • 3.8.1: Coverage of essential health services (implied through specialized treatment of injured protesters).
   • 3.8.2: Proportion of population with large household expenditures on health as a share of total household expenditure or income (implied financial burden due to injuries).
4. SDG 5 Indicators
   • 5.5.2: Proportion of women in managerial positions (implied through participation of women in protests and leadership roles).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets and Indicators Identified in the Article

Source: apnews.com