Kenya Roundup: Protests, China investment, appointment of IGP, sports tourism

Appointment of Kenya IGP

Amnesty International and other organisations are calling for a competitive recruitment process to appoint the next inspector general of police in Kenya. They want the National Police Service Commission to be involved in the recruitment process and for the new IG to uphold human rights and police accountability. The groups also want police leaders to be held responsible for human rights violations and for prompt, thorough investigations to be conducted. They are urging the authorities to take action against police officers who have violated rights during protests. The statement was signed by the Civic Freedoms Forum and Police Reforms Working Group, Phuket News reports.

Ruto announces partial cabinet

Kenya’s President William Ruto announced a partial cabinet after weeks of protests, including six members from the previous cabinet. According to Jurist News, the protests began as peaceful rallies against tax hikes but have evolved into a wider antigovernment campaign calling for Ruto to step down. At least 50 people have died since the protests began in June. Ruto’s appointments were quickly rejected by activists and the opposition coalition, who called it a "cosmetic" change and rejected the idea of a unity government.

Sports tourism

Kenya Tourism Board plans to use Paris Olympics to showcase Kenya's potential in sports tourism. The upcoming event presents an opportunity to highlight the country's culture and heritage to a global audience. The board aims to attract more tourists to experience Kenya's peak tourism season and diverse attractions. Aljazeera reports that Kenya enters the Olympics as Africa's most decorated nation with over 100 medals.

Kenyan journalist shot

Kenyan journalist Catherine Wanjeri was shot three times in the leg by police while covering protests. The Kenya Union of Journalists is demanding accountability and a thorough investigation into the incident. Media watchdogs and international organizations have condemned the shooting and called for police accountability. Wanjeri is still in the hospital and needs time to recover and complete physical therapy, English News reports.

China investment

China's direct investment in Kenya has dropped by over a third in the last three years. This is largely due to China's focus on exporting products rather than investing. Meanwhile, the U.S. has slightly increased its investments in Kenya, particularly in sectors like health, ICT, and pharmaceuticals. V.O.A reports that India is now the leading nation for foreign investment in Kenya, followed by Japan and then China.