After demonstrations, Kenyan President Ruto appoints a new police head

Douglas Kanja has been recommended by Kenyan President William Ruto for the position of inspector general of police, according to a statement from Ruto’s office on Thursday. Kanja was the police chief’s replacement, who resigned due to criticism of the force’s handling of anti-government rallies.

Since mid-July, when the previous holder, Japhet Koome, resigned in protest over the officers’ actions during the previous month’s protests, which resulted in the deaths of at least 39 people, Kanja has been filling the same role.

The peaceful protests over the proposed tax increases soon descended into violence.

With almost forty years of service, Kanya is a career police officer who has held positions as the paramilitary General Service Unit commandant and deputy inspector general of the Kenyan police.

Since then, activists and rights organizations have stated that at least 50 people had died as a result of the nationwide protests.

Even when Ruto retracted the bill and dismissed nearly his entire government, the protests, which are primarily organized by young people, have persisted.

In addition to demanding systemic changes to end corruption and improve governance in local and national government, activists claim that Ruto should step down.

After promising a “broad-based” cabinet in response to the protests, Ruto named the remaining members of his cabinet on Wednesday, including four members of the largest opposition party. However, demonstrators denounced the new administration as a shady deal.

According to Reuters witnesses, police used tear gas on Thursday to disperse a small group of people who were getting ready to march through the capital to deliver a petition to government offices in remembrance of the protestors who lost their lives.