NAIROBI: The death toll from protests in Kenya has risen to three, according to a hospital official and two police officers. The demonstrations were sparked by opposition leader Raila Odinga’s call for Kenyans to take to the streets against tax hikes.
On Friday, police fired tear gas at Odinga’s convoy in the capital Nairobi, and similar actions were taken against demonstrations in the cities of Mombasa and Kisumu. George Rae, CEO of Jaramogi Oginga Odinga hospital in Kisumu, confirmed that there were two deaths in the opposition stronghold on Lake Victoria.
Two police officers, speaking anonymously, also reported a third fatality in hospital in southwestern Migori county. Protesters demanded the release of dozens of people who were taken into custody during the protests. However, police responded with tear gas, including against civil society representatives such as former chief justice Willy Mutunga, according to campaigners.
Investigation into Police Brutality in Kenya
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights called for a thorough investigation into incidents of police brutality and condemned the arbitrary arrests of peaceful demonstrators. Amnesty International and other human rights groups have also criticized the crackdown. Odinga’s spokesman announced plans for weekly protests against President William Ruto’s government, with the next demonstration expected on Wednesday.
The protests were sparked by the government’s recent implementation of a finance bill, which aims to generate revenue for the country’s depleted coffers and address the heavily-indebted economy. The bill includes new taxes or increases on basic goods, fuel, mobile money transfers, and a controversial levy on taxpayers for a housing scheme. Despite a court suspension of the legislation, the energy regulator increased pump prices in line with the law. The government argues that the taxes will create jobs and reduce public borrowing.
