'Goon' violence feared as Kenya marks protest anniversary
Kenya prepared for possible violence on the streets Thursday as attempts to mark two years since deadly Gen Z protests were threatened by the rising use of hired thugs by the authorities.
Thousands of Kenyans protested in June 2024 against economic hardship and corruption, eventually storming parliament to force the cancellation of tax rises.
It was a watershed moment as young Kenyans demanded accountability without regard for traditional ethnic dividing lines, and June 25 has become an annual day of protest.
President William Ruto said people had a right to protest but warned anyone "mobilised to destroy property or cause chaos" would not be tolerated.
Yet politicians have frequently deployed masses of hired "goons", as they are known in Kenya, and many see them as the main culprits behind looting and robberies during protests.
AFP saw scores of them operating alongside police during last year's protests, and they have recently been used to attack everything from opposition rallies to civil rights meetings in churches.
Ruto's former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, now a bitter rival, warned young Kenyans not to protest on Thursday, saying: "I plead with you: stay at home. The state has organised terror against Kenyans."
'Clearly unpopular'
Ruto has long been associated with violence -- he was charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court for inciting attacks during mass election violence in 2007-08, a case that was dropped after alleged witness-intimidation.
He has since resurrected himself as a business-oriented leader with close ties around the world, recently hosting French President Emmanuel Macron for a major African summit.
But his election promise of economic transformation has failed to register for many Kenyans, who accuse him of a string of broken pledges and corruption scandals.
Ruto is "clearly very unpopular with many Kenyans, especially the Gen Z" youngsters, said political analyst Gabrielle Lynch.
She said he is "using security and intelligence services to make Kenyans worried about speaking out against the state".
But he has also attempted something of an olive branch, last week announcing that more than 1,100 victims of violence would receive compensation.
"No other administration in the past since post-independence Kenya has made payouts to victims of protests," said political analyst Javas Bigambo.
He praised Ruto's ambitious plans to revamp social housing, health insurance and infrastructure.
With elections due in August 2027, Ruto also has the advantage of a fractured opposition.
"His competitors are only criticising and not offering an alternative pathway," said Bigambo.
But many fear those elections will see politicians mobilising ever-larger number of goons to protect themselves and attack opponents.
"I'm worried about next year... We know from history that once you've mobilised those groups, you can't always control them afterwards," said Lynch.