Kenyan Police Fire Tear Gas at Protesters

Kenyan police fired volleys of tear gas in the capital Nairobi, injuring several journalists, as small groups of protesters gathered on what was billed as a fresh day of action against embattled President William Ruto.

The East African nation, usually one of the most stable in the region, has been rocked by weeks of sometimes deadly protests against Ruto's two-year-old administration, mostly led by young Gen-Z Kenyans.

As Ruto was overseeing the swearing-in of a revamped cabinet, riot police were out in force in the central business district where many shops were shut, while roadblocks were set up on major arteries.

Only a few dozen demonstrators turned out in the center of Nairobi, chanting "we are peaceful", but police fired tear gas multiple times, wounding several journalists who said police fired tear gas canisters directly at them.

Police fired tear gas to clear pockets of anti-government demonstrators from the center of Kenya's capital Nairobi, as their protest movement sought to capitalize on earlier concessions and compel President William Ruto to resign.

The International Press Association of East Africa said at least three journalists were shot "at close range" with tear gas canisters.

The Nairobi-based group said it "condemns this violent targeting of journalists simply for doing their jobs. It is unacceptable and contrary to fundamental principles of democracy".

Police said they had arrested 174 "suspects" in Nairobi, Kitengela-Rift Valley and Emali-Makueni county.

Global media rights watchdog Reporters Without Borders issued a report saying it had documented police violence and intimidation against journalists covering the seven weeks of protests, using rubber bullets, tear gas and arbitrary arrests.

The youth-led nationwide protests began peacefully in June before turning violent, and more than 50 people have been killed.