39 killed in tax protests as new round begins in Kenya

The recent anti-tax hike protests in Kenya resulted in no less than 39 fatalities and numerous injuries, and there are concerns about additional tragedies as young people went to the streets on Tuesday for a fresh wave of protests.

In a statement released in Nairobi, Roseline Odede, the chairperson of the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), stated that statistics show that 39 people have died and 361 have been injured as a result of the nationwide protests.

The KNCHR reports that 627 protesters were arrested for demonstrating against a variety of controversial tax increases that have subsequently been withdrawn, and 32 cases of involuntary disappearances occurred.

Nairobi tops the list of cities with the most fatalities, with 17, according to data from June 18 to July 1, according to the national human rights agency.

Odede urged people to obey the law, denounced the use of force against protestors, and criticised those who set fire to and destroyed important government institutions like the National Library and Parliament.

Odede declared, “We maintain that the use of force against the protesters was excessive and disproportionate.”

On June 18, the Finance Bill 2024 was introduced in parliament, sparking protests across Kenya, primarily in small towns and online, spearheaded by young members of Gen-Z.

Protesters were incensed by bill sections that would increase taxes on products and services that many people depend on, such as bread, and mobile money transfers, to meet the government’s revenue targets.

A few hours after the parliamentarians passed the controversial Finance Bill 2024, the demonstrators broke into the tightly guarded Parliament premises on 25 June and vandalised property in an attempt to raise an extra 346.7 billion shillings (about 2.67 billion US dollars).

The demonstrators, many of whom were dressed in black, carried Kenyan flags and yelled anti-government slogans as they set a piece of the building on fire.

At least four protesters were killed in the ensuing skirmishes when the security forces opened fire on them with live ammunition.

President William Ruto reaffirmed his earlier requests for communication with youth in a televised interview on Sunday, saying he was willing to do so in any venue of their choice, including social media of X Spaces, where Gen-Z often gather to discuss issues and strategies.

But instead of engaging in conversation, the young demonstrators planned more demonstrations and insisted that the president free the people who had been arrested by the police.

Across the nation, the demonstrators blocked roadways, including the central business districts.

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