Kenya’s President William Ruto has condemned recent anti-government protests that left dozens dead. Speaking Wednesday in Nairobi, he urged police to use force against those destroying property during demonstrations,

Simmering anger against President William Ruto’s government has boiled over into clashes between protesters and the police, who have deployed live rounds, tear gas and water cannons.

Historically, Kenya has rarely invoked anti-terrorism laws to suppress civil protests. Law enforcement has typically relied on the Public Order Act, allowing police to erect roadblocks or seal off sensitive areas during demonstrations.

The number of people killed in Monday's anti-government protests in Kenya has risen to 31, the country's human rights commission said, sparking public outage and calls for justice. The state-run commission previously said that 11 people had died.

The death of blogger Albert Ojwang in police custody last month has given the protests fresh impetus, fuelling anger against the authorities and bringing hundreds onto the streets.

Police say at least 11 people were killed - as a doctor tells the BBC protesters taken to hospital died of gunshot wounds.

UN says 'deeply troubled' by Kenya protest killings

Ten people died in protests in Kenya on Monday, the government-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said, with 29 injured after scattered anti-government demonstrations broke out across the country.

Monday’s demonstrations, which were met with police roadblocks preventing access to downtown Nairobi, were planned to coincide with the 35th anniversary of the historic Saba Saba pro-democracy protests.