Kenyan court suspends ban on protests as authorities call for a halt

Kenyan authorities on Thursday stepped up their call for an end to protests after weeks of protests and police tried to ban demonstrations in the capital Nairobi but were rejected by the court.

Police introduced the ban saying the protests, which have claimed at least 50 lives since erupting nearly a month ago, had been infiltrated by criminal gangs.

But a court on Thursday suspended the ban while a case challenging it was heard.

The youth-led protests across Kenya against proposed tax hikes have continued even after President William Ruto withdrew the legislation and fired almost all of his cabinet.

Activists say they want Ruto to resign and are calling for reforms to clean up corruption and address poor governance.