STORY: Riot police clashed with protesters in Nairobi on Tuesday (July 2) as violence returned to the streets of Kenya's capital.
That's after young activists called for more demonstrations following a week of deadly clashes.
Clouds of tear gas wafted over downtown Nairobi after protesters set fires on the main road through the capital and threw stones at police in the central business district.
The protests, sparked by proposed tax hikes, have morphed into a wider, nationwide movement against corruption and misgovernance.
President William Ruto has abandoned the tax hikes in a proposed finance bill, but his calls for dialog have been rejected.
:: Mombasa, Kenya
Elsewhere on Tuesday, Kenyan television showed demonstrations taking place in towns and cities across the country.
Hundreds marched peacefully in the port city Mombasa, carrying palm fronds and chanting "Ruto must go".
Protester Nairene Leow said Ruto needed to know that the people were "firing" him.
"So, for my children I'm here, and we are ready to spill our blood. Ruto should look at our flag and realise there's a reason we have a red band. That red band is for the blood of Kenyans. And if he is willing to spill our blood, we are willing to stand up to him. He's a big bully."
:: Nairobi, Kenya
Many protesters are calling for Ruto to step down, infuriated at the deaths of dozens of Kenyans since June 18, most of them shot by police last Tuesday (June 25).
On that day, parliament was briefly stormed and parts of it set ablaze, and police opened fire.
Ruto has defended the actions of the police, and blamed the violence on so-called "criminals" who hijacked the demonstrations.
