Protests against the introduction of additional taxes began on June 18 and have spread across the entire Kenya. The new policy, according to protestors, will hurt the economy and raise living expenses for Kenyans, who already find it difficult in order to survive.
Protesters in Kenya have broken into the parliament building in Nairobi, and a fire has broken out in part of the building, Citizen TV reported on Tuesday. The bill was passed by the House shortly before the incursion to the parliament building.
At least eight people were killed during protests in Kenya’s Nairobi on Tuesday, the KTN News broadcaster reported further. The Western media later reported at least 10 dead as a result of the Tuesday protests.
Another 50 people were injured in the protests, the Western media reported, citing doctors.
The Kenyan Red Cross said that its ambulances have been attacked by protesters and its employees have been injured.
“Our vehicles have been attacked. Staff and volunteers injured. We have no contact or role in transporting persons other than the injured. The rumours must stop. We can’t provide life-saving interventions without access and safety for our staff and volunteers. It is crucial that we are granted access to continue our humanitarian efforts without hindrance. It is quite unfair that we are being accused of whisking members of parliament while our staff and volunteers put their lives in danger to provide critical medical care to those in need,” the Kenyan Red Cross said on X.
Unconfirmed reports from the area say that the parliament building was cordoned off by armed men.
A new wave of protests in Kenya over the government’s plans to raise taxes on a number of goods and services began in mid-June, which prompted police to use tear gas to disperse demonstrators.
Later, the media reported that amendments had been made to the draft budget, abolishing the introduction of a 16% value-added tax on the purchase of bread, transportation of sugar, use of mobile and financial services, transactions in foreign currency, as well as the imposition of a 2.5% tax on motor vehicles and excise duty on vegetable oil.
Kenyan President William Ruto said the government was ready to engage in dialogue with the protesters. Nevertheless, protests continued, with Citizen Digital reporting two deaths and at least 200 injuries during the protests. The police used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the protesters.
According to media, the parliament is due to adopt the final version of the draft budget on June 30.
For the past week, protesters have been picketing in opposition to the contentious bill, which was passed by the house on Tuesday. They contend that if it is enacted, it will impose additional burdens on an already overburdened populace.
