Kenyan police have used tear gas to disperse protesters in the capital, Nairobi, amidst a heavy deployment of security forces, including the military. Key roads around central buildings were blocked ahead of the protests.
This unrest follows the deaths of 22 people in recent protests against proposed tax hikes, during which part of the parliament building was set alight.
In response to public pressure, President William Ruto announced he would withdraw the finance bill containing the unpopular tax proposals.
Protesters had vowed to gather in Nairobi’s city center to mourn those killed, with some demanding the president’s resignation.
The demonstrators also planned to march to the president’s official residence, State House. However, prominent figures linked to the protests have warned against this due to the potential for further violence. Security officers have blocked roads leading to the building, turning away motorists and pedestrians.
Local television showed empty streets in Nairobi’s central business district early on Thursday, with numerous security forces on patrol.
Protests have also erupted in other towns across the country. In Mombasa, large crowds chanted “Ruto must go,” leading to business closures due to looting and stone-throwing.
Eldoret, President Ruto’s hometown, remained calm following violent clashes earlier in the week. In Migori and Kisumu, police engaged with demonstrators using tear gas.
President Ruto, who won the presidency in 2022 by pledging to support the “hustler”, the ordinary citizen struggling to earn a living has faced backlash for introducing numerous new taxes amid a cost-of-living crisis.
Despite dropping some taxes in response to protests, public dissatisfaction persisted, leading to the demand for the complete withdrawal of the finance bill. On Wednesday, the president conceded, stating, “the people have spoken,” but defended the bill as necessary to stabilize the economy and reduce Kenya’s debt, which consumes 61 cents of every tax dollar for loan repayments.
President Ruto now plans to introduce a new public austerity program, including cuts to spending in his own office, as part of efforts to balance the national budget.
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