Demonstrators in Kenya pledged to continue their protests against recent tax increases, following the violent altercation at the parliament and various locations in the country that resulted in at least 23 deaths and numerous injured. While the heavily-armed police were monitoring the situation in Nairobi, the supporters of the one-week protest made promises on X with the hashtag #tutanethursday, loosely translating to “catch you on Thursday”, a blend of Swahili and English.
The public outrage expressed online regarding tax increases has evolved into a national demonstration demanding political reform, causing the most alarming conflict during the two-year presidency of William Ruto. The police were reported to have used force on the crowd gathered near the parliament on Tuesday, which later intruded the parliament’s premises, immediately after the controversial tax measures were passed by the lawmakers.
The Nation newspaper highlighted demonstrations in at least 35 of Kenya’s 47 counties, encompassing major cities and rural locations, even in the native Kalenjin region of Eldoret, hometown of Mr Ruto. The Kenya Medical Association reported on Wednesday that the clashes resulted in a minimum of 23 deaths across Kenya and around 30 people were receiving treatment for gunshot injuries.
In Nairobi, the primary public mortuary received six bodies from Tuesday’s protest as per a police officer stationed there. The Kenyatta National Hospital admitted another two bodies and 160 injured individuals, as reported by two health officials present there.
Multiple social media users scrutinised Mr Ruto’s post-riot speech where he stated that the parliament attack was the work of “criminals posing as peaceful protesters”. One X user posted, “Good morning fellow CRIMINALS Tupatane Thursday To do what CRIMINALS do” in response.
Various social media posts encouraged people to take over the State House, the Presidential office and residence, on Thursday, and the local branches of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund on Friday, although there is a lack of confirmation on whether these directives came from individuals or a collective movement.
Mr Ruto mentioned in his late-night national telecast on Tuesday that the tax increase discussion has been taken control by “malicious individuals”. He added that the Government has called for the army to help the police in handling a “security emergency”, but there were no signs of troops in Nairobi’s streets on Wednesday.
Wellington Ogolla, a protestor, made it clear that he is not afraid to return to the streets to express his objections. He believes he is simply exercising his right to protest on the streets of Nairobi, a city still bearing the scent of tear gas after recent demonstrations.
Legislators made revisions to the final finance bill, notably removing proposed increases in taxes on essential commodities like bread and cooking oil in an attempt to avoid a budgetary shortfall. However, some new tax increases were introduced in other areas. The protesting citizens, who primarily communicate and organize themselves through social platforms and lack formal leadership, demand the removal of the entire bill. Moreover, they now seek the resignation of Mr Ruto.
Mr Ruto secured his position nearly two years ago, standing as an advocate for Kenya’s economically burdened lower class. However, his role has been fraught with difficulty, caught amid demands from lending institutions like the IMF advising deficit reduction to secure further financing, and an economically squeezed populace.
The aid organisation Médecins Sans Frontières revealed that their personnel were injured and shocked when one of their ambulances was pelted with stones during the turbulence on Tuesday. In concurrence, The Kenya Red Cross declared that its workforce and fleet had been assaulted, declining to provide more specific details. Reuters reported this news.