In these hours many young people are demonstrating in the streets of Nairobi and other cities in Kenya to protest against the financial law approved in Parliament, which provides for tax increases. Protesters went so far as to burn Parliament after the law was passed. The dead were 10 protesters.
Kenya, the demonstrations
The movement “Occupy Parliament” was born on social media after the presentation of the 2024-2025 budget project in Parliament on June 13 which provides for new taxes, including 16% VAT on bread and a 2.5% annual tax on private vehicles. On June 18, most of the measures were withdrawn, but the protests continue because they want the entire text to be withdrawn and some taxes replace others, such as those on fuel. The protests led by Generation Z have become a pretext for protest President Ruto’s policies.
The protests began last week and in Thursday’s demonstration in Nairobi 2 people died and 200 people were injured across the country. There were 100 arrests, including influencers who are also carrying out the protest on social media. “Despite mass arrests and injuries, the demonstrations continued to gain momentum, underlining the widespread discontent of the population”, Amnesty International Kenya said. The association accused the authorities of kidnapping the protesters.
Kenya, rubber bullets and tear gas
Authorities used rubber bullets and tear gas against protesters in the capital. Among them there is also the sister of Obama, the former president of the United States, Rita Auma Obamawho told CNN that he narrowly avoided a tear gas canister fired by the police: “I can’t see anything anymore, they shot me with tear gas”. The peaceful demonstration of young people is becoming increasingly violent with violent actions by demonstrators and officers who, in addition to shooting rubber bullets, also use real ones. The clashes began around midday after the protesters approached an area where there are official buildings.
In other cities the protests continue without intervention from the authorities, including opposition cities Mombasa (to the east) e Kisumu (West), Eldoret (to the west), a large city in the Rift Valley, the home region of President William Ruto, Nyeri (southwest) e Nakuru (in the center).
Kenya, law approved, Parliament on fire
The law for which demonstrations broke out across Kenya was approved with 195 votes in favor and 106 against. Thanks to the protests from the proposed new taxes there were withdraw the 16% excise duty on bread And 25% on vegetable oil And the 2.5% tax on cars.
With the passage of the law, the protests reached their peak attacking Parliament. Part of the building is on fire as I am 10 demonstrators died. Television images also show several MPs fleeing from the building.
