NAIROBI: Thousands of predominantly young protesters flooded the streets of Kenya on Thursday to protest against tax hikes, expressing their discontent through chants and whistles in a passionate display of opposition to the government by Gen-Z protesters.
In Nairobi, police fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse groups of protesters near parliament, although the “Occupy Parliament” action mostly remained peaceful, bringing the capital to a standstill.
The protests, led by the youth, commenced in Nairobi on Tuesday before spreading nationwide on Thursday, reflecting widespread dissatisfaction with President William Ruto’s economic policies amid an already existing cost-of-living crisis.
Following Tuesday’s demonstrations, during which hundreds of youths clashed with law enforcement, the financially strained government made concessions, revising several tax increases outlined in a new bill. However, certain tax hikes are still planned, with the government justifying them as essential for bolstering revenue and reducing reliance on external borrowing.
Protests extended across Kenya on Thursday, with large gatherings in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, and Kisumu, according to reports and televised images. Despite some clashes in Nairobi, where demonstrators near parliament were met with tear gas and water cannons, protesters voiced their demands through placards and chants, with calls for President Ruto’s departure.
Ivy, a 26-year-old job seeker, expressed fear for her future and joined the protests for the first time, emphasizing the detrimental impact of the proposed bill on citizens’ livelihoods.
Another first-time protester, Bella, articulated dissatisfaction with the government’s concessions, describing them as deceptive tactics to divert attention from the overall burden imposed by the tax changes.
The government’s removal of certain proposed levies has led to adjustments in other areas, including fuel prices and export taxes, raising concerns about increased living costs in a country grappling with inflation.
A vote on the proposals is anticipated on June 27, just days before the bill’s deadline, with estimated tax revenues aiming to bridge a budget shortfall and reduce the budget deficit.
Tuesday’s protest in Nairobi witnessed clashes between police and protesters, resulting in numerous arrests, highlighting the escalating tensions surrounding economic policies and the population’s frustrations with the current state of affairs in Kenya.
