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Kenya’s President William Ruto on Wednesday broke his silence over the recent wave of anti-government protests that have left dozens dead, vowing to prevent what he described as “anarchy” disguised as peaceful demonstrations. Addressing the unrest, President Ruto declared “enough is enough” and directed police to take firm action, including shooting looters and arsonists “in the leg,” to protect property and restore order. Kenya has been gripped by unrest in recent weeks following the death of a popular blogger in police custody—a case that sparked widespread anger and renewed accusations of police brutality. Public outrage intensified when a protester was shot at close range by a police officer during a demonstration. Massive rallies took place on June 25, marking one year since large-scale protests against tax hikes. At least 8 dead in Kenya protests against police brutality On Monday, police set up roadblocks across all main routes into Nairobi’s city center, restricting movement to essential workers. Clashes broke out between protesters and police on the outskirts of the capital and in 17 of Kenya’s 47 counties, resulting in 31 deaths and over 100 injuries. Authorities also arrested more than 500 people. According to reports, at least 50 people have been killed during two separate waves of protests over the past two weeks. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk on Tuesday called on the Kenyan government to address the root causes of the public grievances. President Ruto alleged that the protests were politically driven and warned that the destruction of public and private property would not be tolerated. “You can call me any name, but I will ensure peace and stability in Kenya at all costs,” he said, accusing his political opponents of attempting to destabilize his administration through violent means. “Attacking police stations amounts to a declaration of war,” he added. Ruto emphasized that leadership in Kenya is determined through democratic elections—not violence. Meanwhile, civil society organizations have continued to urge restraint by law enforcement during demonstrations. In a recent development, five police officers were charged in connection with the blogger’s death and the shooting of a civilian. Deputy Inspector General of Police Eliud Langat, who had filed a complaint against the blogger over corruption allegations, has stepped aside pending the outcome of the investigation.

Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni on Saturday sought nomination for a seventh term, a move that would bring him closer to five decades in power. Museveni, 80, has defied calls for his retirement, as critics warn that he as veered into authoritarianism with virtually no opposition even within his ruling National Resistance Movement party. He was welcomed by a large crowd of supporters as he went to collect nomination papers from the offices of the ruling party in Kampala, the Ugandan capital, reports AP. Museveni first took power as head of a rebel force in 1986. He has since been elected six times, though recent elections have been marred by violence and allegations of vote rigging. His main opponent in the last election was the popular entertainer known as Bobi Wine, who has also declared his candidacy in the polls set for January 2026. Wine, whose real name is Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, has seen many associates jailed or go into hiding as security forces cracked down on opposition supporters. At least 8 dead in Kenya protests against police brutality Museveni has dismissed Wine as “an agent of foreign interests” who cannot be trusted with power. Wine has been arrested many times on various charges but has never been convicted. He insists he is running a nonviolent campaign. Decades ago, Museveni himself had criticized African leaders who overstayed their welcome in office. In Uganda, lawmakers did the same thing for him when they jettisoned the last constitutional obstacle — age limits — for a possible life presidency. His son, army chief Muhoozi Kainerugaba, has asserted his wish to succeed his father, raising fears of hereditary rule. A long-time opposition leader, Kizza Besigye, has been jailed since November over alleged treason charges his lawyers say are politically motivated. Besigye, a physician who retired from Uganda’s military at the rank of colonel, is a former president of the Forum for Democratic Change party, for many years Uganda’s most prominent opposition group. The East African country has never seen a peaceful transfer of power since independence from Britain in 1962.

At least eight people have died and over 80 others are receiving specialized treatment, some with gunshot wounds, following nationwide protests in Kenya against police brutality and poor governance, according to human rights organizations. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, a state-funded body, reported that Wednesday’s demonstrations, which took place across 23 of Kenya’s 47 counties, resulted in over 400 injuries and more than 60 arrests. The protests were held to mark one year since anti-tax demonstrations left at least 60 people dead and 20 others missing. In the capital, Nairobi, access to Parliament and the president’s office was blocked with razor wire and road barricades as thousands of protesters confronted police, who responded with tear gas, live rounds, and batons, leaving several people injured. The demonstrations quickly escalated, spreading to major cities such as Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and Nyahururu, with calls for President William Ruto to resign over allegations of mismanagement. Last year’s anti-tax protests saw demonstrators storm Parliament, where tax hikes had been passed, setting parts of the building on fire as lawmakers fled. Witnesses and rights groups reported that police opened fire, leaving bodies in the streets, prompting the deployment of the military. Frustration among young Kenyans has grown due to alleged government corruption, the rising cost of living, police violence, and the recent death of a blogger while in custody. Public outrage intensified further after a protester was shot at close range during recent demonstrations. President Ruto, speaking at a funeral in coastal Kenya on Wednesday as protests intensified in Nairobi, called for calm, saying, “We do not have another country to go to. It is our responsibility to safeguard our nation.” Youth-led protests erupt again in Kenya over police brutality and poor governance Despite government efforts to downplay the protests, including statements by government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura calling Wednesday a “normal working day,” businesses in central Nairobi largely remained shut. Police restricted vehicle movement, while hundreds of protesters took to the streets early, chanting anti-government slogans as officers fired tear gas. An Associated Press reporter witnessed one demonstrator suffer a mouth injury from police gunfire, while another protester was beaten over the head by anti-riot police and taken away by ambulance. Wangechi Kahuria, executive director of the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, which monitors protest-related deaths, said citizens should be allowed to mourn peacefully. Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja warned on Tuesday that unauthorized individuals would be barred from entering protected areas like Parliament and the State House. Protester Rose Murugi accused police of contributing to the crisis, declaring, "We will say it boldly—police brutality must end, and Ruto must go.” Another demonstrator, 25-year-old Derrick Mwangi, said young people were "fed up" with the current state of affairs, citing abductions, killings, and increasing police violence. Local media on Wednesday published the names and photos of some of those killed in last year’s protests. The Standard newspaper headlined its coverage with “A luta Continua,” Portuguese for “The struggle continues,” a phrase linked to Mozambique’s fight for independence. Meanwhile, the Communication Authority banned live coverage of the protests and disrupted some free-to-air TV broadcasts, drawing condemnation from human rights defenders. Political commentator Herman Manyora described the demonstrators as “heroes” who deserve recognition for their sacrifices. He called on the authorities to work with protesters to ensure a meaningful commemoration. However, Manyora also noted that government inaction has fueled discontent, hardening the resolve of young people to continue their demonstrations. Following last year’s protests, President Ruto dissolved the Cabinet amid allegations of corruption and incompetence, though many former ministers were reappointed. A controversial finance bill proposing higher taxes was initially withdrawn but new taxes were later introduced through amendments. Protesters in Kenya’s Nairobi demand justice for blogger’s death in police custody The president also brought opposition members into the Cabinet and, in March, signed a political agreement with opposition leader Raila Odinga, his main rival in the last election. #Source: With input from agency 

Youth-led demonstrations against police brutality and poor governance erupted across Kenya once again on Wednesday, with thousands marching toward Nairobi’s central business district. The protests coincide with the first anniversary of last year’s anti-tax hike demonstrations, which resulted in 60 deaths and at least 20 people reported missing. This latest wave of unrest follows protests last week demanding justice for a Kenyan blogger who died in police custody under suspicious circumstances. Discontent is rising, particularly among Generation Z, over issues including police violence, economic hardship, and government mismanagement. In response, the Communications Authority of Kenya ordered local media to halt live broadcasts of the protests midway through the day, while President William Ruto warned that acts of violence would not be tolerated. Many Kenyans turned to social media to share real-time updates, post tributes to slain protesters, and express anti-government sentiments through posts and memes. Meanwhile, on the streets, volunteers provided water to protesters as demonstrations continued. Protesters in Kenya’s Nairobi demand justice for blogger’s death in police custody Police brutality Demands for accountability in Kenya have intensified following the death of a street hawker during last week's protests. A Kenyan court has granted investigators 15 days to conclude their probe into two police officers suspected of involvement in the shooting. The incident has fueled public outrage, with young people flooding social media platforms throughout the week to honor protesters killed during last year's demonstrations. At that time, President William Ruto apologized for the violence and pledged to end police brutality, which led to the resignation of the country’s top police official. “Not a single officer has faced consequences,” said human rights activist Hussein Khaled, noting that people have taken to the streets to demand justice, including compensation for victims' families, arrests of those responsible, and urgent police reforms. He emphasized that far too many Kenyans are losing their lives due to police violence.   Economic frustration Last year’s deadly protests in Kenya were driven by strong opposition to a finance bill that significantly increased taxes to tackle national debt, placing a heavy burden on young, educated citizens already facing high unemployment and a soaring cost of living. President William Ruto eventually withdrew the bill. However, parts of those tax measures were later reintroduced, sparking public outrage and renewed demands for Ruto’s resignation, especially following the appointment of a new, but widely unpopular, cabinet. A revised healthcare levy also replaced standard premiums with a progressive tax based on income levels. According to United Nations data, 70% of sub-Saharan Africa’s population is under 30, while Kenya faces a youth unemployment rate of 67%. Macharia Munene, a professor of History and International Relations at United States International University Africa in Nairobi, said the situation is worsening for young people, as essential sectors like health and education suffer from poor policies and a lack of resources, while government spending on lavish perks for elites continues unchecked. Rescuers in South Africa search for the missing after floods leave at least 49 dead Poor governance Ruto has been accused of misappropriating taxpayer money on lavish trips, most notably the use of a private jet on his trip to the United States right before last year’s protests. He apologized and dismissed ministers accused of incompetence, corruption and displays of opulence amid complaints about the high cost of living. Meanwhile, Kenya's opposition received its share of criticism, with many saying it avoided challenging the status quo after some of its members were appointed in Ruto's new cabinet “Enough is enough ... We are here for change, it is time for us to get our nation (back),” said protestor Sevelina Mwihaki. “The blood that we have shed is enough."  

Protesters took to the streets of the Kenyan capital on Thursday to vent their anger over the death of a blogger in police custody. Albert Ojwang was arrested June 6 in Homa Bay in western Kenya and driven 400 kilometers (248 miles) to Nairobi for what police said was publishing “false information” about a top police official on social media. He subsequently died at the Central Police Station after “hitting his head against the cell wall,” police said. Amnesty International and local activists have questioned that account. The protesters occupied the road in Nairobi leading to the parliamentary building, where the national budget was due to be presented Thursday. At least two cars were set on fire in a street nearby, reports AP. Police on Monday fired tear gas to disperse another protest demanding accountability for Ojwang's death. Authorities have since said an official investigation is underway. Rescuers in South Africa search for the missing after floods leave at least 49 dead President William Ruto in a statement on Wednesday said Ojwang's death was “heartbreaking and unacceptable." “I strongly condemn the actions and omissions, including any negligence or outright criminality, that may have contributed to his untimely death,” Ruto said. The blogger’s death comes almost a year after several activists and protesters were killed and abducted by Kenyan police during finance bill protests. The rallies led to calls for the removal of Ruto, who has been criticized for what some say is his authoritarian streak.

Rescue teams began a third day searching for missing people Thursday after floods devastated parts of South Africa's rural Eastern Cape province and left at least 49 dead. Authorities said they expected the death toll to rise. The missing included four high school students who were swept away when their bus was caught up in the floods near a river on Tuesday. Six students on the bus were confirmed dead, while three were rescued after clinging onto trees and calling out for help, according to the provincial government. The floods hit the province early Tuesday after an extreme cold front brought heavy rain, strong winds and snow to parts of eastern and southern South Africa. Forecasters had warned about the damaging weather last week. Eastern Cape provincial government officials said they believed people were still missing but did not give an exact number. They were working with families to find out who was still unaccounted for, they said. On Wednesday, rescue teams brought bodies out of the water in blue body bags, while witnesses said many people had taken refuge on the top of buildings or in trees. 'The Herds' begins Climate-Themed Journey from Central Africa to the Arctic The floods centered on the town of Mthatha and its surrounding district, which is around 430 kilometers (267 miles) south of the east coast city of Durban. Officials said at least 58 schools and 20 hospitals were damaged, while hundreds of families were left homeless after their houses were submerged under water or washed away by the floods. Critical infrastructure including roads and bridges has been badly damaged, Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane said. He said it was one of the worst weather-related disasters his province had experienced. South African President Cyril Ramaphosa announced he had activated the National Disaster Management Center to help local authorities in the Eastern Cape, while national officials were expected to visit the province on Thursday.

Namibia marked the mass killings of Indigenous people in the early 20th century by former colonial ruler Germany with its first genocide remembrance day on Wednesday. The day was declared a national holiday last year by the government and was commemorated for the first time with a ceremony in the gardens of the national Parliament in the capital, Windhoek. Between 1904 and 1908, tens of thousands of Herero and Nama people were massacred or forced into concentration camps and starved by German colonial forces under the command of Gen. Lothar von Trotha, in what was then German South West Africa.  Namibia votes potentially electing its first female president Germany formally recognized the atrocities as a genocide in 2021 and agreed to pay Namibia 1.1 billion euros ($1.3 billion) over the course of 30 years to fund various projects. Namibia has rejected that and is pushing for more money and formal reparations for the massacres. “Many people from the two communities were forced into concentration camps where they were starved to death and their skulls were taken to Germany for so-called scientific research," Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah said at Wednesday's ceremony. “These horrendous acts are now part of our collective history of resistance and resilience.” The killings of Herero and Nama men, women and children have been recognized as the first genocide of the 20th century. Historians say von Trotha, who was sent to German South West Africa to put down an uprising by the Herero people, instructed his troops to wipe out the entire tribe. They say that the majority of the Herero people, about 65,000, were killed as were at least 10,000 Nama. Symbolic candles were lit at Wednesday's remembrance ceremony, which was also attended by leaders and descendants of the Herero and Nama people. Namibia chose May 28 as the day to mark the genocide because it was the date Germany finally gave the order to close down the concentration camps. Germany was the colonial ruler of Namibia from 1884 until 1915, when it gave up the territory to South Africa. Namibia finally gained independence from South Africa in 1990. There have been calls by the affected communities in Namibia for years for the government to declare a remembrance day in honour of those who died.  Horse Therapy Program in Namibia brings joy to children with learning challenges Talks between Germany and Namibia over finding a suitable settlement for Germany's role in the genocide have been going on for a decade. In 2018, Germany also returned more than a dozen skulls and other human remains that were taken from Namibia for pseudo-scientific racial experiments. They had been stored in German hospitals, museums and universities for decades.

Sudan's notorious paramilitary group launched a two-day attack on famine-hit camps for displaced people that left more than 100 dead, including 20 children and nine aid workers, in the Darfur region, a UN official said Saturday. The Rapid Support Forces and allied militias launched an offensive on the Zamzam and Abu Shorouk camps and the nearby city of el-Fasher, the provincial capital of North Darfur province, on Friday, said UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Sudan Clementine Nkweta-Salami, AP reports. El-Fasher is under the control of the military, which has fought the RSF since Sudan descended into civil war two years ago, killing more than than 24,000 people, according to the United Nations, though activists say the number is likely far higher. The camps were attacked again on Saturday, Nkweta-Salami said in a statement. She said that nine aid workers were killed “while operating one of the very few remaining health posts still operational” in Zamzam camp. “This represents yet another deadly and unacceptable escalation in a series of brutal attacks on displaced people and aid workers in Sudan since the onset of this conflict nearly two years ago,” she said. Nkweta-Salami didn’t identify the aid workers but Sudan’s Doctors’ Union said in a statement that six medical workers with the Relief International were killed when their hospital in Zamzam came under attack on Friday. South Sudan teetering on the edge of renewed civil war, UN envoy says In a statement Saturday evening, Relief International mourned the death of its nine workers, saying they were killed the previous day in a “targeted attack on all health infrastructure in the region,” including the group’s clinic. The group said the central market in Zamzam along with hundreds of makeshift homes in the camp were destroyed in the attack. The offensive forced about 2,400 people to flee the camps and el-Fasher, according to the General Coordination for Displaced Persons and Refugees, a local group in Darfur. Zamzam and Abu Shouk shelter more than 700,000 people who have been forced to flee their homes across Darfur during past bouts of fighting in the region, Nkweta-Salami said.

Rescue crews in the Dominican Republic on Thursday dug through the remains of a legendary nightclub whose roof collapsed earlier this week, killing at least 184 people, but hope of finding survivors was slim. Meanwhile, dozens of people in the capital of Santo Domingo still searched for their loved ones, growing frustrated upon getting no answers after visiting hospitals and the country's forensic institute. Doctors warned that some of the two dozen patients who remained hospitalized were still not in the clear, especially the eight who were in critical condition. “If the trauma is too great, there's not a lot of time” left to save patients in that condition, said Health Minister Dr. Víctor Atallah. He and other doctors said that injuries include fractures in the skull, femur and pelvis caused by slabs of cement falling on those attending a merengue concert at the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, where more than 200 were injured. The government said Wednesday night that it was moving to a recovery phase focused on finding bodies, but Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations, said crews at the scene were still looking for victims and potential survivors although no one has been found alive since Tuesday afternoon. 98 people killed in Dominican Republic nightclub roof collapse “We’re not going to abandon anyone. Our work will continue,” he said. The legendary club was packed with musicians, professional athletes and government officials when dust began falling from the ceiling and into people’s drinks early Tuesday. Minutes later, the roof collapsed. Victims include merengue icon Rubby Pérez, who had been singing to the crowd before the roof fell; former MLB players Octavio Dotel and Tony Enrique Blanco Cabrera; and Nelsy Cruz, the governor of the northwestern province of Montecristi whose brother is seven-time Major League Baseball All-Star Nelson Cruz. Also killed was a retired United Nations official; saxophonist Luis Solís, who was playing onstage when the roof fell; New York-based fashion designer Martín Polanco; the son and daughter-in-law of the minister of public works; the brother of the vice minister of the Ministry of Youth; and three employees of Grupo Popular, a financial services company, including the president of AFP Popular Bank and his wife. Randolfo Rijo Gómez, director of the country's 911 system, said it received more than 100 calls, with several of those made by people buried under the rubble. He noted that police arrived at the scene in 90 seconds, followed minutes later by first response units. In less than half an hour, 25 soldiers, seven fire brigades and 77 ambulances were activated, he said. Crews used dogs and thermal cameras to search for victims, rescuing 145 survivors from the rubble, authorities said. It wasn’t immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse, or when the Jet Set building was last inspected. The government said late Wednesday that once the recovery phase ends, it will launch a thorough investigation. At least 13 dead, 70 injured in roof collapse at Dominican Republic discotheque The club issued a statement saying it was cooperating with authorities. A spokesperson for the family that owns the club told The Associated Press that she passed along questions about potential inspections. Meanwhile, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Public Works referred questions to the mayor’s office. A spokesperson for the mayor’s office did not respond to a request for comment.

 At least 13 people died and more than 70 were injured after a roof fell at a discotheque in the capital of the Dominican Republic early Tuesday, authorities said. Crews were searching for potential survivors in the rubble at Jet Set in Santo Domingo, said Juan Manuel Méndez, director of the Center of Emergency Operations. “We presume that many of them are still alive, and that is why the authorities here will not give up until not a single person remains under that rubble,” he said. Among the injured is merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was performing when the roof collapsed, officials said. President Luis Abinader wrote on X that all rescue agencies are “working tirelessly” to help those affected. 5 killed as under-construction elevated road collapses in Bangkok “We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at the Jet Set nightclub. We have been following the incident minute by minute since it occurred,” he wrote. At one hospital where the injured were taken, an official stood outside reading aloud the names of survivors as a crowd gathered around her and yelled out the names of their loved ones. It wasn't immediately clear what caused the roof to collapse.