One person has been killed and hundreds injured, rights groups reported.
Violent protest broke across Kenya as people rallied against the controversial finance bill that the country’s government is requesting the parliament to pass into law. In Nairobi and other cities across the country, protesters clashed with the police who were resolute in their resolve to break up the anti-government protest. Human right groups, including Amnesty International, the Law Society of Kenya, the Kenya Medical Association, the Defenders Coalition, and the Independent Medical Legal Unit reported that one person was killed and about 200 people were injured, while105 others were arrested across the country, In Nairobi, the epicenter of the protest, it was reported that “There were five casualties from rubber bullet injuries, police tear gas canisters and batons. And,six people were hit by cars while running away from police officers”. Eight of the injured persons were said to be in critical condition and were evacuated to Kenyatta National Hospital for treatment.
During the protest, riot police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse thousands of demonstrators across the country, including some marching on a street near Kenyan President William Ruto’s residence in Nairobi. The Star newspaper also reported that at least one person was shot and killed during the anti-tax protest along Moi Avenue in the capital late on Thursday. Rex Kanyike Masai, 29, reportedly died during treatment for a wound on his thigh at a hospital.
The government is seeking to introduce the finance bill on recommendations of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) who are advised the government to make “sizable and upfront” fiscal adjustment in its 2024/25 budget to reduce state borrowing. The government considers the tax bill necessary to reduce the country’s budget deficit, but protesters argue that they will be harmful to the economy and escalate the already high cost of living.
Since he won the 2022 elections, President Ruto, has faced repeated protests for allegedly failing to fulfill campaign promises and address the country’s high cost of living. Last July, several people were killed and dozens were arrested when rallies led by Raila Odinga, leader of the opposition Azimio Coalition, against a slew of tax hikes turned violent in the country.
Kenyan Police Inspector General Japhet Koome issued a statement on Thursday warning that protests would not be permitted in critical government infrastructure, including the National Assembly, where lawmakers were debating the finance bill.
He declared that while citizens have the right to “assemble, demonstrate, and picket,” law enforcement officials will “neither condone nor approve efforts” by demonstrators to disrupt “ongoing parliamentary proceedings.”
A parliamentary committee recommended on Tuesday that the government withdraw some new taxes proposed in the bill, including an annual 2.5% tax on car ownership and a 16% tax on bread, following a public outcry. This story which was edited by rnn.org.ng was first reported here: .https://www.rt.com/africa/599680-kenyan-tax-bill-violent-protests