One Person Killed, Over 200 Injured in Kenya Anti-Tax Demonstrations
NAIROBI, June 21, 2024 — One person was killed and more than 200 people were injured during nationwide protests in Kenya on Thursday against the government’s proposed tax increases. Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators in the capital, Nairobi, as reported by a coalition of rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Kenya Medical Association.
The protests erupted in response to the government’s plan to generate an additional $2.7 billion in taxes. Protesters argue that these new taxes will further burden Kenyans already struggling with high living costs. Despite the widespread public dissent, lawmakers passed the finance bill in its second reading on Thursday, moving it closer to becoming law.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority confirmed the death of a 29-year-old man who was allegedly shot by police. The man, Rex Kanyike, succumbed to his injuries while receiving treatment for a gunshot wound to the thigh. His mother, Gillian Munyau, stated that her son was shot by a plainclothes officer while trying to escape the tear gas. “If someone is fighting for their rights, why use live bullets? He was just walking with his friend,” Munyau told Reuters outside the mortuary.
The rights groups criticized the police’s use of force, noting that the presence of spent cartridges suggested live ammunition was used. They also commended the majority of protesters for their peaceful conduct despite provocation by police.
Kenya’s police force did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the use of live rounds and the allegations made by Kanyike’s family.
The finance bill, which has sparked these protests, includes new levies on car ownership, bread, cooking oil, and financial transactions. President William Ruto has endorsed some concessions, such as scrapping certain new taxes, following public outcry.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) supports the government’s need to increase revenue to reduce the budget deficit and curb state borrowing. However, the proposed taxes have been widely criticized by the public, who see them as detrimental to their economic well-being.
Despite the protests and the government’s partial concessions, the bill is set to be discussed further in parliament next week. Lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposed changes, which the budget committee claims are necessary to prevent a significant budget shortfall in the upcoming fiscal year.
The protests, which occurred in 19 of Kenya’s 47 counties, highlight the deepening economic frustrations among Kenyans and the challenging path ahead for the government in addressing these concerns while managing the country’s finances.
“We commend the several thousands of protesters, many of whom are youthful, for picketing peacefully (and) exhibiting restraint and decorum despite provocation by police,” the rights groups said in their statement. They urged the government to heed the concerns of the citizens and reconsider the finance bill’s provisions to avoid further unrest.