Political situation in Kenya

Leader: The president was right – but too late

The rollback of the tax hike that sparked violent protests in Kenya comes too late. That's what The Standard, one of the country's largest newspapers, writes in an unsigned editorial.

"Even if the president has made the right decision, he has done it too soon, when the irreplaceable lives of young people have already been snuffed out by police bullets and properties have been destroyed across the country."

Even in Nation, the editorial page mourns that it took a while before the president backed down: "Once again we live up to our nation's strange aptitude for doing everything in the most difficult way possible."

The unsigned leader argues that the nation owes a debt of gratitude to the young protesters, whose work must continue.

"They have to keep the blue torch in front and make sure that the leaders deliver everything they promised."

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Risk of new protests in Kenya - calls for Ruto's resignation

On Thursday, police in Kenya blocked roads around the parliament building in Nairobi due to concerns about new protests against the country's government, Reuters reports.

At least 23 people have died in the violent protests against a controversial tax increase. The bill has been withdrawn by the country's President William Ruto, but some protesters remain unhappy.

Davis Tafari, one of the protesters, tells the news agency that many are demanding that the president resign and that new elections be held in the country.

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The protests in Kenya continue: "Ruto must go"

Despite President William Ruto withdrawing the controversial tax hike proposal that sparked violent demonstrations earlier this week, protests continue in the country's capital, Nairobi, reports Sky News.

According to the TV channel, the police fire tear gas and stun grenades at protesters, who respond with glass bottles, stones and shouts that "Ruto must go".

Over 20 people have been killed by police during the protests.

Several media outlets report that Thursday's demonstrations are clearly smaller than before, but that the remaining participants hardly seem to have been reassured by the president's reversal.

- As a young nation, we must stand up. I refuse to die on my knees, I will die standing, 24-year-old protester Kelvin told Sky News.