Nairobi, Kenya — Clashes in Kenya intensified on Tuesday as police reportedly used live ammunition against demonstrators protesting proposed tax increases, resulting in at least five fatalities. The demonstrations centered in Nairobi also saw around 31 individuals injured, while authorities detained at least 52 participants according to Amnesty International.
The unrest was sparked by public fury over a new finance bill that features several unpopular tax proposals, which critics argue disproportionately burden ordinary citizens and businesses. The bill, debated fiercely in national discourse, includes measures seen as exacerbating the already high cost of living.
Violence escalated when hundreds of protesters breached Kenya’s parliament buildings, with part of the structure set ablaze by the demonstrators. Social media platforms circulated images and videos purportedly capturing some of the violence, including protestors in Nairobi nursing gunshot wounds.
Originally provoked by the specifics of the controversial finance bill, the protests have escalated beyond fiscal grievances to call for the resignation of President William Ruto. The presidency stated that Ruto is scheduled to address the nation concerning the upheaval later this evening, marking his first public remarks on the matter.
Protests have spread to various urban locations including Nakuru, Mombasa, and Eldoret, as dissent resonates across the East African nation. Kenya faces a dire economic stretch with mounting national debt, compelling the government to assert the necessity of tax hikes. However, these proposed hikes impact staple imports such as eggs, onions, and cooking oil—essentials already deemed unaffordable by many Kenyans.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video on the social media platform X, showcasing police firing upon protestors. The watchdog confirmed witnessing at least one protester’s death due to the shooting. In a statement, they strongly condemned the lethal use of force and underscored the urgency for accountability and justice concerning police actions.
Amidst these tax proposals, some of the more contentious measures included imposing taxes on basic food items and increasing levies on financial transactions and vehicle ownership. While the government has decided to retract some of these proposals following the public outcry, the move has done little to dampen the widespread frustration.
Adding an environmental aspect to the fiscal grievances, the government proposed an eco levy on products linked to electronic waste, which critics argue would further inflate the costs of essential goods, including sanitary products critical for young women’s education. Facing backlash, authorities revised the levy to affect only imported goods, ostensibly to foster local industry growth.
The unfolding national debate over the Finance Bill and its perceived threats to economic stability and personal livelihoods has drawn the attention of Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome. Following reports of protester abductions, she issued a stern rebuke against such unlawful acts. Emphasizing the sanctity of constitutional rights and the rule of law, Koome called on all justice sector agencies to commit to their constitutional responsibilities diligently.
As the nation grapples with these compounding crises, Kenyans await decisive responses from both government and judicial leaders to navigate toward resolution and restore public confidence in the nation’s rule of law and economic management. Meanwhile, the international community watches closely as Kenya confronts these pivotal challenges.