In Kenya, statewide protests against the government’s proposal to impose an additional $2.7 billion in taxes resulted in one fatality and at least 200 injuries on Thursday, according to an alliance of human rights groups and the police watchdog.
Police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters in Nairobi, where five rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Kenya Medical Association, reported seeing spent cartridges, suggesting the use of live rounds. Over 100 protesters were arrested across the country.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) confirmed the death of a 29-year-old man, allegedly shot by police and several serious injuries among demonstrators and police officers. The man succumbed to a thigh wound during treatment on Thursday night. Nairobi County Police Commander Adamson Bungei was unavailable for comment.
“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.
Protesters are demanding the government abandon its finance bill, arguing it will harm the economy and increase the cost of living for Kenyans already struggling financially. The International Monetary Fund, however, insists that the government needs to increase revenues to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing.
President William Ruto recently endorsed recommendations to scrap some of the new levies, including those on car ownership, bread, cooking oil, and financial transactions. Despite widespread protests in 19 of Kenya’s 47 counties, lawmakers passed the finance bill in its second reading on Thursday, advancing the tax proposals to the next approval stage.
Lawmakers are expected to vote on the proposed changes to the bill on Tuesday. Parliament’s budget committee warns that rejecting the bill could create a 200 billion Kenyan shilling ($1.56 billion) deficit in the 2024/25 budget, forcing the government to cut spending.
