Kenyan Protests Turn Deadly as Police Clash with Demonstrators Over Controversial Tax Bill

Nairobi, Kenya – The streets of Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, descended into chaos on Tuesday as hundreds of protesters clashed with police over the country’s newly passed tax bill, resulting in multiple fatalities and injuries.

By Julia Alfeus

The incident marked a dramatic escalation of a long-standing dispute over the government’s plans to increase taxes on a range of goods and services. The contentious plan, which was adopted by parliament following a third and final reading, has sparked considerable resistance among Kenyans, who argue it will only raise their living costs. The protests, which began peacefully, became violent when police fired live ammunition at the crowd, killing and injuring several people.

According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, 23 people were killed across the country in the violence, with 50 arrests, 22 abductions, and over 300 injuries reported. The organization condemned the use of excessive force by police and called for an immediate investigation into the incidents.

The clashes began when hundreds of protesters broke through the barricades surrounding Parliament House and stormed the complex where lawmakers were debating the bill. Police fired live bullets at the protesters, who were attempting to break down doors to key Parliament chambers. Video footage from the scene showed protesters stamping on furniture, tearing down flags, and breaking windows.

The violence spilled out onto the streets of Nairobi, with police using water cannons to battle fires at City Hall, where the office of the Nairobi governor was set ablaze. Protesters also clashed with police at other locations across the city, including outside the offices of several government ministries.

The protests were sparked by a range of tax reforms introduced by the government, including new levies on monetized digital content creation, a 5 percent tax increase on digital payments like bank transfers and digital money payments, and increased taxes on bread and vegetable oil. The government has also introduced a 2.75 percent additional income charge for salary earners enrolled in the country’s national medical insurance plan and a 2.5 percent annual tax on motor vehicles.

Protesters contend that these taxes will raise their overall cost of living and that they will receive no real advantages from the additional income earned. They are also upset because the measure empowers Kenya’s revenue authorities to compel tax collection by accessing bank and mobile money accounts.

The protests are seen as a major challenge to President William Ruto’s government, which has been accused of being corrupt and out of touch with the needs of ordinary Kenyans. The government has previously introduced other tax hikes, including a 1.5 percent housing tax on gross income and a doubling of VAT on petroleum products.

As the situation continues to unfold, there are concerns about the potential long-term impact of the violence on Kenya’s economy and its relations with international partners. The Kenyan government has been urged to engage in dialogue with protesters and address their concerns about the tax bill.

In a statement, Amnesty International condemned the use of force by police and called for an immediate investigation into the incidents. “The Kenyan authorities must ensure that those responsible for this violence are held accountable,” said Seif Magango, Amnesty International’s Deputy Director for East Africa.

The same happened in South Africa over unemployment and poverty in July 2021, whereby protests erupted across South Africa, over high unemployment rates, poverty, and lack of services. In Ethiopia, in October 2016, Approximately 55 people were killed when Ethiopian security forces opened fire on protesters in Addis Ababa, the capital, amid growing unrest in the Oromo region over land rights and political oppression. In addition, a similar incident happened in Nigeria in November 2020  when the protesters were demanding Justice for Killed EndSARS Activists,  Nigerian police fired teargas and water cannons to disperse protesters demanding justice for victims of police brutality, including those killed during the EndSARS movement.

As tensions continue to simmer in Kenya, it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold in the coming days and weeks. One thing is clear: the controversy over Kenya’s tax bill has highlighted deep-seated divisions within society and threatens to destabilize an already volatile political landscape.