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A6 WORLD NEWS
Thursday 20 July 2023

Police in Kenya open fire on activists protesting new taxes

By EVELYNE MUSAMBI protesters.
Associated Press Demonstrations were re-
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Po- ported in several other
lice in Kenya opened fire parts of the country includ-
on protesters in clashes ing the western counties
that left at least 12 people of Kisumu, Migori and Kisii
wounded Wednesday as where the opposition en-
the opposition organized joys huge support.
demonstrations calling for Police had said the protests
the government of Presi- were illegal as no permit
dent William Ruto to lower had been issued, but the
the cost of living. right to peaceful protests
The opposition called for is enshrined in the Kenyan
three days of countrywide constitution.
protests aimed at forcing The opposition has said
the president to repeal a protests would continue
finance law imposing new Thursday.
taxes. Ruto had vowed Last week’s protests killed
that no protests would take at least 10 people, accord-
place, saying he would ing to watchdogs, with
take opposition leader Rai- a police officer confirm-
la Odinga “head-on.” ing at least six to the AP.
Four protesters were in- Many others were injured,
jured in the Mathare area including 53 children who
of the capital, Nairobi, ac- Police arrest a protester during clashes in the Mathare area of Nairobi, Kenya Wednesday, July went into shock after tear
cording to a police officer 19, 2023. gas was thrown inside their
who spoke on condition Associated Press school compound.
of anonymity as he was lice are using live bullets,” gunshot wounds, two of assaulting police. Religious leaders have
not authorized to speak to he said. One man was shot them shot in the abdomen, The opposition in a state- called for dialogue be-
the media. The Associated in the back and severely one in the chest and an- ment condemned the ar- tween the government
Press witnessed one man wounded, and the other other one in the leg. A fifth rests of seven elected lead- and the opposition to
shot in the shoulder and was shot in the leg. “We person had been cut and ers and two close associ- end the protests. Catholic
two others shot in the leg in don’t yet know if they were wounded. ates of Odinga, calling it bishops on Wednesday is-
Mathare. protesting or just walking The Interior Ministry said a “desperate attempt” by sued a statement reiterat-
In Nairobi’s Kangemi area, by,” Sikuku said. more than 300 people were the Ruto administration to ing that “no further blood
health records worker Al- In the city of Nakuru, Na- arrested during Wednes- paralyze the opposition. should be shed” and urged
vin Sikuku told the AP that kuru Referral Hospital Medi- day’s protests and that Businesses and schools in the president to repeal the
two young men had been cal Superintendent James they will be charged with Nairobi were closed as newly passed Finance Act
brought into the Eagle Waweru confirmed that crimes including looting, police used tear gas and that has agitated many
Nursing Home clinic. “Po- four people came in with destroying property and water cannons to disperse Kenyans.q

U.K. Prime Minister apologizes for a previous ban on LGBTQ+

people in the military

By SYLVIA HUI Minister Rishi Sunak apolo- saying that a previous ban try,” Sunak told Parliament. tions into sexual orientation
Associated Press gized Wednesday for the on LGBTQ+ people serving “Today, on behalf of the and sexual preference, dis-
LONDON (AP) — U.K. Prime treatment of gay veterans, in the U.K. military was “an British state, I apologize.” graceful medical examina-
appalling failure of the Brit- The report, which was car- tions, including conversion
ish state.” ried out by retired senior therapy,” the report said.
The apology came after judge Terence Etherton, Some victims said they
an independent review compiled evidence from were stripped of or denied
published Wednesday es- more than 1,100 veterans. medals they were entitled
timated that hundreds, if It documented the ef- to, or that they lost their
not thousands, of veterans fects of what it called “an pension rights following
were dismissed or suffered incomprehensible policy their dismissal or discharge.
under an official ban on of homophobic bigotry in “The survivors have waited
homosexuality in the U.K. our armed forces.” Some for at least 23 years for ac-
armed forces that was en- of the victims have taken knowledgment of what
forced until 2000. their own lives, while others they have suffered, and
“As today’s report makes have attempted suicide, for justice and restitution,”
clear, in that period many the report said. Veterans’ it added. The report also
endured the most horrific testimonies “give shocking recommended that finan-
sexual abuse and violence, evidence of a culture of cial compensation should
Britain’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves 10 Downing Street homophobic bullying homophobia, and of bul- be made to victims, even
to attend the weekly Prime Ministers’ Questions session in and harassment, all while lying, blackmail and sexual if litigation time limits have
parliament in London, Wednesday, July 19, 2023. bravely serving this coun- assaults, abusive investiga- expired.q
Associated Press