Tensions flared across Kenya this week as thousands of citizens took to the streets in a nationwide wave of protests against a controversial finance bill that threatens to raise taxes on essential goods. In dramatic scenes, anti-riot police clashed with demonstrators in the capital, Nairobi, deploying tear gas and water cannons to disperse crowds that had gathered to voice their anger over the proposed tax increases.
The protests have spread far beyond the bustling streets of Nairobi, engulfing key cities and towns including Nakuru, Kisumu, Nyeri, and even Eldoret—the hometown of President William Ruto. These demonstrations mark a significant moment in Kenya’s political landscape, uniting citizens from diverse backgrounds in a common cause against perceived economic injustice.
The epicentre of the unrest is Nairobi, where a heavy police presence on horseback attempted to quell the burgeoning crowds. Protesters, brandishing placards and chanting anti-government slogans, faced off against the police in tense standoffs. The air was thick with the acrid smell of tear gas as officers sought to break up the mass gatherings.
Similar scenes unfolded across the country. In Eldoret, hundreds of demonstrators brought the city to a standstill, marching through the streets and demanding the government rescind the bill. The protests in this region are particularly noteworthy, given it is President Ruto’s home turf, highlighting the widespread discontent with his administration’s economic policies.
In Nyeri, a town in central Kenya, chants of “Ruto must go!” and “It’s all possible without Ruto” echoed through the streets. Meanwhile, in the western town of Kisii, protesters expressed their frustration with simple yet powerful declarations: “We are tired.”
At the heart of the protests is a finance bill that proposes a series of tax hikes aimed at raising $2.7 billion in additional revenue. Key elements of the bill include a 2.75% levy on income for the national medical insurance plan, increased taxes on vegetable oil and fuel, and a controversial 16% value-added tax on bread, which was recently withdrawn following public outcry.
The government argues that these measures are necessary to reduce Kenya’s national debt, which stands at nearly $80 billion. However, critics claim that the tax hikes will stifle economic growth, increase the cost of living, and disproportionately affect the country’s poorest citizens.
The bill has already passed its second reading in parliament, with the final vote expected next week. Despite the government’s minor concessions, such as the removal of the bread tax and the annual 2.5% tax on vehicles, many Kenyans believe these amendments do not go far enough.
The protests have brought a diverse array of voices to the forefront. Among them is 26-year-old Aristaricus Irolo, who shared his plight with the BBC amidst the chaos in Nairobi. “I dropped out of college as my parents couldn’t afford my education. I’m hustling to go back, and now you want to take the little I make and make me not even buy sanitary pads?” he said, holding a sanitary pad aloft—one of the many items that would be affected by the proposed tax rises.
In another poignant scene, 56-year-old Mumbi Muturi stood by her daughter and niece, both 25, who were actively participating in the protests. “We [her generation] did not come out to protest when we should have. I am not worried about these ones. They are securing their future. I am here to support them,” she explained, capturing the generational solidarity that has defined these demonstrations.
Unlike previous protests, which were often driven by political figures, these movements are largely led by young people and have remained predominantly peaceful. Social media has played a crucial role in mobilizing the masses, with hashtags like #OccupyParliament and #RejectFinanceBill2024 rallying support and keeping the public informed.
The protests have not only galvanized Nairobi but have also sparked solidarity movements across 19 of Kenya’s 47 counties. In Eldoret, young professionals, including doctors and lawyers, have been actively supporting the demonstrators. Dr. Mercy Korir, a medical doctor, posted on X (formerly Twitter), “My younger Gen Z colleagues here getting ready for dispatch to attend to any protester in need of medical attention in Nairobi.”
This surge of activism underscores a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction with President Ruto’s administration, which came to power in 2022 on promises to reduce taxes and lower the cost of living. Since taking office, Ruto has introduced several new taxes, which critics argue have exacerbated economic hardship and job losses.
In a statement on Wednesday, President Ruto acknowledged the right to protest but reiterated that demonstrations would not influence the government’s decision-making process. “Protests are a democratic right, but they will not deter our commitment to reduce the national debt and ensure the economic stability of our nation,” he said.
However, the government’s response has drawn sharp criticism from human rights organizations and legal groups. Amnesty International and four other rights groups released a joint statement on Thursday condemning the use of excessive force by police. They reported that at least 105 protesters had been arrested, with hundreds more injured in clashes that involved tear gas, water cannons, and rubber bullets. There are also reports of live ammunition being used, as evidenced by spent cartridges found at protest sites.
Tragically, local media confirmed that a 29-year-old man succumbed to a gunshot wound at the Bliss Medical Centre in Nairobi, a casualty of the escalating violence.
“We continue to urge the National Police Service to desist from the use of excessive force, intimidation, and arbitrary and unlawful arrests of Kenyans,” urged the coalition of rights groups, which includes the Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, the Defenders Coalition, and the Independent Medical Legal Unit.
Written by Olivier Noudjalbaye Dedingar, USA/UN Correspondent.
