Last week, protests against tax increases in Kenya reached a boiling point when a crowd broke through barricades and entered the Kenyan parliament complex in Nairobi. This led to police firing rubber bullets and tear gas to stop them. The tension had been building as protesters threw stones at police during demonstrations outside the parliament building, where lawmakers were discussing a controversial bill proposing tax hikes.
The unrest resulted in one protester being killed and four others shot by police, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission. Amnesty International Kenya expressed concern over the increased use of live ammunition by the National Police Service and called for safe access for medical staff to treat the injured.
Anger over Kenya’s cost of living crisis has sparked nationwide protests, resulting in injuries and deaths. Amnesty International Kenya and other groups have called on the government to respect protesters’ rights and release those who have been unjustly arrested. The government has agreed to cancel some tax increases but plans to implement others to address its growing debt and budget shortfall.
Critics argue that raising fuel prices and export taxes will further burden Kenyans who are already struggling with inflation and high living costs. Despite being one of East Africa’s leading economies, a significant portion of Kenya’s population is living in poverty, with many unable to access well-paying jobs or afford basic necessities.
