Nairobi, Kenya – A fresh wave of protests erupted in Kenya on July 19, organized by the opposition, demanding the repeal of a finance law imposing new taxes.

Clashes between police officers and protesters quickly turned violent, leaving at least 12 people dead and several injured.

President William Ruto had adamantly opposed the protests, vowing to confront opposition leader Raila Odinga “¹head-on”.

However, the demonstrations continued for the second day, spreading to various parts of the country. Nairobi, Kisumu, Migori, and Kisii were among the cities where the opposition enjoyed significant support.

In Nairobi’s Mathare area, witnesses reported four protesters injured, with one man shot in the shoulder and two others in the leg.

Similarly, in Kangemi, two young men were admitted to Eagle Nursing Home clinic with gunshot wounds, raising concerns about the use of live ammunition by the police.

Calls for dialogue and conciliation resounded from various quarters. Nairobi resident Wycliffe Onyango implored President Ruto and opposition leader Odinga to engage in talks and address the rising cost of living.

The newly passed Finance Act, which led to an increase in fuel prices and the doubling of value-added tax on petroleum products to 16%, has agitated many Kenyans.

Religious leaders, including Catholic bishops, also urged for a peaceful resolution, expressing concern over the loss of lives and destruction of property.

However, the opposition continued to defy warnings and announced that the protests would persist on July 20.

International stakeholders, including Western envoys from 13 countries, joined the call for dialogue between the government and the opposition to find a solution to the ongoing unrest.

The Interior Ministry reported that over 300 people were arrested during the protests on July 19. The opposition condemned the arrests of seven elected leaders and two close associates of Odinga, labeling it as a “desperate attempt” by the Ruto administration to paralyze the opposition.

The right to peaceful protests is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution, leading to questions about the legality of the police’s response to the demonstrations.

Human Rights Watch called for political leaders to refrain from labeling protesters as “terrorists” and urged law enforcement to respect the right to peaceful assembly.

As the situation remains tense, the government and opposition must find common ground to address the grievances of the Kenyan people.

The country’s stability and the well-being of its citizens hang in the balance as dialogue becomes more urgent than ever.

In a controversial court ruling that has sparked outrage, Gilbert Deya, an 86-year-old Kenyan evangelical pastor, has been acquitted of child theft charges by a Nairobi court due to insufficient evidence.

The case centered around the accusations that Deya presented children as “miracle babies,” purportedly the result of his prayers, but who were allegedly stolen between 1999 and 2004.

Gilbert Deya, formerly a stonemason who moved to London in the 1990s, owns several churches in London, Liverpool, and Nottingham.

He was extradited from Britain to Kenya in 2017 after a protracted legal battle spanning almost a decade.

Throughout the trial, Deya and his wife, Mary, claimed that they possessed the power to make infertile or menopausal women pregnant within just four months without any sexual relations, attributing this ability to their prayers.

Prosecutors, however, contended that the babies were not miracles but rather had been stolen, many of them allegedly taken from the maternity ward of Pumwani Hospital in Nairobi, a deprived suburb of the capital.

The verdict, delivered by Magistrate Robison Ondieki, acquitted Deya on the grounds that the prosecution failed to produce compelling evidence.

The ruling has been met with widespread criticism and disbelief from the public and child protection advocates, who argue that justice has not been served.

“The charges were fabricated and could not be brought before a court,” stated John Swaka, the reverend’s lawyer, when addressing reporters, while reassuring the press that his client was “very happy” with the outcome.

This case has once again brought to the forefront concerns about the proliferation of churches in Kenya, with approximately 4,000 churches reported in the country, including some led by self-proclaimed pastors without theological training.

It raises questions about the need for better regulation and oversight of religious institutions to prevent potential abuses.

Just a few months earlier, Kenya witnessed a shocking discovery in the Shakahola forest on the Kenyan coast, where nearly 400 bodies were found linked to a sect that reportedly practiced starvation to “meet Jesus Christ.”

The leader of the sect and self-proclaimed pastor, Paul Nthenge Mackenzie, a 50-year-old former taxi driver, is currently facing terrorism charges.

As the debate over religious freedom and accountability rages on, Kenyan authorities are facing mounting pressure to address these issues and safeguard the well-being of their citizens, especially vulnerable children and communities targeted by unscrupulous individuals operating under the guise of religious leadership.

NAIROBI, Kenya – In a significant development aimed at fostering bilateral ties, President William Ruto of Kenya and President Ebrahim Raisi of Iran have signed a series of trade agreements during President Raisi’s visit to the East African nation on Wednesday.

The visit is part of President Raisi’s three-day tour of Africa, with subsequent stops scheduled in Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Describing the visit as “a turning point in the development of relations between the two countries,” President Raisi emphasized the importance of strengthening ties between Iran and Kenya.

The leaders have signed five memoranda of understanding focusing on various areas of cooperation, including information, communication, and technology, fisheries, animal health, livestock products, and investment promotion.

One of the notable agreements entails Iran’s plan to establish a “motor vehicle assembly plant” in Mombasa county, as announced by President Ruto.

This venture holds the potential to boost the local automotive industry while creating employment opportunities for the Kenyan population.

The visit comes at a crucial time for Iran, as the nation seeks to alleviate its international isolation by garnering diplomatic support and strengthening economic and trade ties with African countries.

Nasser Kanani, the spokesperson for the Iranian foreign ministry, expressed optimism prior to the trip, highlighting the shared “common political views” between Iran and the African continent.

President Raisi’s visit to Africa marks the first time an Iranian leader has set foot on the continent in 11 years, with the previous visit by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad taking place in 2013.

The tour underscores Iran’s commitment to revitalizing its diplomatic engagements and expanding its reach beyond traditional alliances.

The agreements signed between Kenya and Iran not only emphasize the mutual desire to enhance trade relations but also signify the potential for deeper collaboration in vital sectors such as technology, fisheries, and investment.

As the tour continues, President Raisi aims to further strengthen ties with African nations and lay the groundwork for expanded cooperation in various fields, ultimately fostering shared prosperity and development.