Moses Kuria: Frequent protests could desensitise Kenyans

Former presidential advisor Moses Kuria /HANDOUT

President William Ruto's former advisor Moses Kuria has issued a stark warning on social media, cautioning that the frequency of deadly demonstrations could desensitise the public.

Drawing a grim parallel to historic international conflicts, Kuria explained that during the Lebanese civil war, citizens became so accustomed to violence "that even in restaurants no one would talk about shooting taking place at the doorstep."

"You eat your meal as you await shooting to stop."

Kuria expressed deep concern over the immediate psychological impact on the nation, warning that "at the current rate Kenyans will normalise demonstrations and loss of life. It will become socially acceptable."

Lamenting the recent casualties in hotspots like Githurai, he observed, "Nine lives were lost last week. No one even talks about it. Today we are back to the streets."

He concluded with a somber plea, stating that "Githurai is our new Gaza. Human life has never been this cheap. Gracious Lord hear us.”

Kuria issued the statement as fears over a planned protest on Monday sparked anxiety among commuters in parts of Nairobi and its outskirts, with social media users reporting transport disruptions, roadblocks and unusually high fares on some routes.

Several users on X claimed they were forced to walk long distances before finding transport, while sections of the mainstream media reported that transport operations in Thika town had been disrupted after some roads were allegedly blocked during demonstrations over high fuel prices.

Many of the posts claimed that a section of the Thika Superhighway at Witeithie had been blocked from as early as 3 am, causing delays and uncertainty among travellers heading to Nairobi.

Official state figures released by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen confirmed that at least four people were killed and over 30 others injured across 29 counties during the recent transport-related unrest.

Murkomen also noted that law enforcement officials have arrested 348 individuals in connection with the disruptions. However, independent human rights activists paint a significantly darker picture, reporting up to 12 fatalities linked to the ongoing demonstrations.

As the standoff between transport operators and the government intensifies, citizens remain caught in the middle of an increasingly volatile economic crisis.

Commuters across Nairobi and its outskirts faced severe transport disruptions, heavy roadblocks, and skyrocketing fares on Monday as widespread anxiety over planned nationwide protests paralysed key transit routes.

The unrest, sparked by recent sharp increases in fuel and transport costs, has ignited a fierce national debate regarding the heavy toll of civil demonstrations on human life

The protests, heavily driven by a countrywide strike initiated by the Matatu Owners Association, left thousands of commuters stranded, forcing numerous businesses and schools to close their doors.