A police officer who was injured during Thursday’s anti-government protests in western Kenya has died.
Inspector General of Police Japheth Koome said Corp Bernard Oduor died while being treated at an intensive care unit.
He said more than 20 police officers had sustained serious injuries as they repulsed demonstrators in the lakeside city of Kisumu.
In a statement, the police chief condemned the violence and vandalism witnessed during opposition protests in the capital, Nairobi, and other parts of the country.
Six journalists were injured, and their equipment destroyed during the protests that turned violent following clashes between demonstrators and police.
President William Ruto has criticised the protesters, saying the constitution does not permit them to engage in violence.
He said the bi-weekly protests were having a negative impact on the economy and disrupting people’s lives.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has accused the police of brutality against his supporters and warned of what he described as the “mother of all demonstrations” next Monday.
He has alleged that his life is in danger, saying that an assassination attempt was made against him.
There are behind the scenes efforts by religious leaders and US’s envoy to broker a truce as both sides adopt hard-line positions.
