Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Protests continued in Kenya’s capital and other regions on Tuesday over a controversial finance bill that would increase the cost of living. This unrest persists despite President William Ruto’s statement that he will not sign the bill following last week’s parliament storming.
In Nairobi, police fired tear gas at protesters, with many businesses shuttered due to fears of looting. The main highway to Mombasa was closed as demonstrators lit bonfires. Concerns remain that Ruto might sign the bill before next week’s deadline, while some protesters are also calling for his resignation, accusing him of poor governance.
Youth-led protests have expressed concerns about violence infiltrating their movement. Organizer Hanifa Farsafi highlighted these issues on social media, noting the presence of “goons.”
Last week’s protests were particularly deadly, with police firing on demonstrators. According to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, 39 people have died during the two weeks of unrest, although Ruto reported a lower figure of 19.
In response to the protests, Ruto has offered dialogue with Kenyan youth and promised budget cuts for travel and hospitality within his office, addressing some of the protesters’ demands. Despite high unemployment and rising prices, there is public outrage over the lavish lifestyles of the president and senior officials.
However, the youth protest movement remains distrustful of Ruto’s promises of austerity measures. Kenya’s main opposition party has called on Ruto’s government to take responsibility for the deaths that occurred during the protests.
Economist Ken Gichinga suggested that the government should adopt a different approach to tax reforms that would allow the economy to thrive. Gichinga emphasized that the Gen Z population is the most affected by unemployment.
Kenya’s political and social landscape is highly charged, with citizens demanding significant changes to address economic hardships and governance issues. The outcome of these protests could have lasting implications for the country’s future.
