‘Kenya is not asleep anymore’: Why young protesters are not backing down

Weeks of antigovernment demonstrations demand end to bad governance, corruption and a change in leadership.

Nairobi, Kenya – Daniel Wambua did not flinch, even as police fired tear gas at him on July 16.

On that day, Kimathi Street in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, the central business district was thick with fumes.

Nearly a month after demonstrations first erupted against President William Ruto’s government, police were using tear gas, water cannon and live bullets.

The city looked like a war zone.

Wambua stood out because he was unafraid and unapologetic about why he was on the streets.