International
Tax Protest: 5 Lives Lost, Others Injured in Kenya
Eko Hot Blog reports that Kenya witnessed a tragic escalation in violence on Tuesday as protests against proposed tax increases turned deadly, leaving five people dead and scores injured.
According to local NGOs. The unrest culminated in demonstrators storming the parliament compound in Nairobi, prompting a robust response from security forces.
In response to the mounting tensions, the military was deployed to assist the police, who utilized tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and, as alleged by rights groups, live ammunition in their efforts to disperse protesters.
“Despite assurances from the government that the right to assemble would be protected, today’s protests have tragically descended into violence,” stated a joint release from several NGOs, including Amnesty Kenya, which documented the casualties.
International concern swiftly followed, with the White House issuing an appeal for calm and more than ten Western nations expressing shock at the unfolding events outside Kenya’s parliament, including Canada, Germany, and Britain.
The protests, primarily driven by youth activists, have surged amid widespread discontent over proposed tax hikes and a deepening economic crisis that has exacerbated the cost of living.
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“This is the voice of Kenya’s youth,” asserted Elizabeth Nyaberi, 26, a lawyer participating in the demonstrations. “They are tear-gassing us, but we remain undeterred.”
“We are here to advocate for our generation and those to come,” she added.
While the protests had been largely peaceful initially, chaos erupted in Nairobi on Tuesday as demonstrators hurled stones at police, breached barricades, and breached the grounds of the parliament.
Amidst the clashes, global internet watchdog NetBlocks reported a “major disruption” in Kenya’s internet service, highlighting the severity of the unrest and its implications for communication and information dissemination.
The clashes underscored mounting frustrations among Kenyan citizens grappling with economic hardships, prompting renewed calls for dialogue and restraint from all parties involved.
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