NAIROBI – Nationwide protests in Kenya over a proposed tax hike turned violent on Thursday, with rights groups claiming over 200 injuries and more than 100 arrests. The protests erupted in response to the government’s plan to raise an additional $2.7 billion through new taxes.
Security forces in the capital, Nairobi, clashed with demonstrators, deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds. A joint statement by five rights groups, including Amnesty International and the Kenya Medical Association, raised concerns about the use of live ammunition, citing the presence of spent cartridges at the protest site.
Reports from the Daily Nation newspaper claimed an unidentified protester died at a local hospital from a gunshot wound. A separate police report obtained by Reuters confirmed the death of a 29-year-old man who sustained a thigh wound during the protests. Authorities have yet to comment on the cause of the injury.
Despite commending the peaceful nature of the demonstrations, the rights groups expressed concern over “police provocation.” Protesters are demanding a complete scrapping of the proposed finance bill, fearing it will cripple the economy and worsen the cost of living for Kenyans already facing financial hardship.
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has reportedly backed the tax hike plan, arguing it’s necessary to reduce the national budget deficit and decrease reliance on borrowing. In a partial concession, President William Ruto recently endorsed scrapping some proposed levies, including those on car ownership, bread, cooking oil, and financial transactions.
Despite the widespread demonstrations across 19 counties, lawmakers passed the finance bill’s second reading on Thursday, moving the contested tax increases closer to approval. Parliament is expected to reconvene next week to vote on proposed amendments, which could create a significant budget shortfall according to the parliamentary budget committee. This shortfall may force the government to implement spending cuts.
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