Kenyan police have fired tear gas to disperse groups of protesters who began gathering in the capital, Nairobi.
In anticipation of the protests, there has been a heavy deployment of security forces, including the military, and roads have been blocked around key buildings in the city.
The unrest follows the deaths of 22 people in protests against tax hikes, which saw part of parliament set on fire. In response, President William Ruto announced he would withdraw the finance bill containing the unpopular tax proposals.
Despite this concession, demonstrators vowed to gather again in the city centre to mourn those killed and demand the president’s resignation.
Some protesters also intended to march to the president’s official residence, State House, prompting warnings from prominent figures about the risk of further violence. Security measures included blocking roads and turning away motorists and pedestrians.
Earlier, local stations showed empty streets in Nairobi’s central business district with many security forces patrolling. Protests also erupted in other towns across Kenya.
In Mombasa, large crowds chanted “Ruto must go,” leading to business closures amid looting and stone-throwing. While President Ruto’s hometown, Eldoret, remained calm, clashes occurred in Migori and Kisumu, where police used tear gas against demonstrators.
Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, stated that young people were returning to the streets because “they still want their voices heard.” Despite the withdrawal of the tax bill, grievances persist, necessitating a dialogue between leaders and the youth.
President Ruto, who won the presidency in 2022 by championing the interests of the “hustler”—the ordinary citizen—has since introduced multiple taxes, causing widespread unpopularity amid a high cost of living. This year’s proposals, including taxes on bread, cooking oil, and vehicle ownership, sparked the protests.
The government’s partial concessions have not fully addressed the people’s concerns, leading to demands for a complete withdrawal of the bill.
