photo: wikipedia
NAIROBI - Kenya's president says he has rejected a bill that sparked protests. Twenty-three people were killed in Nairobi during protests against tax increases, Reuters reported, citing the Kenya Medical Association. The city council building was on fire and explosions and gunfire could be heard in the streets. Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, was injured in the riots.
Reasons for dissatisfaction
Protests against the introduction of additional taxes began in Kenya on 18 June and have spread throughout the country. Rallies are being held in Nairobi and in the major cities of Kisumu, Nyeri, Nakuru, Eldoret, Kilifi, Mombasa. Protesters say the news will damage the economy and increase the cost of living for Kenyans who are already struggling to make ends meet. The protesters are also demanding the resignation of the country's President William Ruto.
The Ruto government's tax policy has caused widespread discontent since the start of his presidential term in August 2022. In the spring of 2023, this led to several protests. Under his government, income taxes and health levies have risen significantly and VAT on petrol has doubled to 16 %.
Position of the authorities
Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi said that failure to approve the bill threatens a vote of no confidence in the president and the resignation of the government. The draft budget must be approved in parliament by 30 June. Some lawmakers have expressed opposition to the draft budget. Kenya's parliament has voted in favour of passing the bill on second reading. MPs will now have a two-week recess.
The country has experienced problems with internet access. This was reported by the internet monitoring service NetBlocks. There was no information about the disruption of radio and television work, but the KTN News channel reported that the authorities of the African country threatened to suspend work due to coverage of the demonstrations. Internet outages were also reported in Uganda and Burundi.
The opposition in the country called on the world community to intervene in the situation and demanded that the authorities "immediately stop the violence" and "start a dialogue" with the protesters.
Kenya has declared a state of emergency in the wake of the protests.
President William Ruto ordered the deployment of the army to quell the unrest. He said he was willing to engage in dialogue with the protesters, but only "on the basis of the constitutional mechanism".
Reactions in the world
The Russian Embassy has advised Russians in Kenya to stay at home. Diplomats advised vigilance in areas such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Kakamega, Eldoret, Nakuru, Nanyuki, Nyeri, Kisii, Kilifi, Embu and Kericho. The African Union has called on the parties to the conflict to engage in dialogue. The Foreign Ministry said Kenyan authorities should exercise restraint in the face of protests in the country.
Consequences of the protests
Protesters stormed the parliament building where a vote was being held on a budget proposal that was to include a tax increase.
Gunfire and explosions can be heard in downtown Nairobi, and smoke billows from the parliament building. The city council building is also on fire.
Local media reported that police had to use tear gas and fire rubber bullets. There was also talk of using live ammunition.
Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, was injured during the protests. This was reported in a broadcast of the television station CNN. Twenty-three people were killed during the protests in Nairobi, Reuters reported, citing the Kenya Medical Association. Another 30 people were injured.
On 22 June, the Citizen reported two deaths during the protests and at least 200 injuries. The Kenyan Red Cross said its vehicles were attacked. The organization said the casualties included employees. Protesters stormed a house belonging to a member of the republic's parliament, the Nation reported. They set fire to three vehicles parked in the yard and destroyed property inside the house.
TASS/gnews.cz-roz_07
English 
Czech