WATCH | KENYAN POLICE CLASH WITH ANTI-TAX HIKE PROTESTERS

Fri 07 July 2023:

Kenyan police have used tear gas to disperse protesters, marching on Friday against a new finance law, that has doubled the fuel tax and introduced a housing levy, for employees.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga has called the protests to oppose tax increases, that were imposed despite a court-ordered suspension, and came at a time when many people were already struggling with, persistently high prices of basic commodities, such as maize flour.

The Police have allowed the opposition’s main rally to go ahead, but warned against the destruction of properties and businesses.

Addressing a gathering of over 2,000 supporters at Kamukunji grounds in the capital Nairobi, Odinga criticized the government’s inability to tackle the soaring living expenses that have plagued ordinary citizens.

He maintained that the cost of living must go down, threatening more countrywide protests if the government does not address the grievances of the people.

His alliance, representing a significant opposition force, urged the public to take to the streets in a peaceful demonstration against the financial measures.

The government headed by Kenyan President William Ruto on the other hand, has defended its decision to implement the tax hikes as necessary to generate revenue and fund essential services.

However, critics argue that the burden falls disproportionately on the already struggling population, deepening the socioeconomic divide and worsening living conditions.

The High Court suspended, the implementation of the finance law last week, but the government raised retail prices of petrol anyway, forcing the opposition senator, who lodged the case to seek the jailing, of the head of the energy sector regulator for contempt.

The court will rule on the contempt application on Monday, and give further directions on the main suit.

SOURCE: INDEPENDENT PRESS AND NEWS AGENCIES

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