Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, on Tuesday, saw resumed protests against the government. Local media visuals depicted anti-riot police firing tear gas at demonstrators who were protesting tax policies and other governance issues.
Professional bodies and civil society groups have dismissed Kenyan President William Ruto’s calls for dialogue, even as he stated he would not sign the 2024 Finance Bill proposing tax increases.
Citizen TV Kenya broadcasted footage of police dispersing protesters with tear gas near the Archives in Nairobi’s CBD.
President Ruto has addressed the protesting groups, asserting his awareness of measures to mitigate the growing public discontent, as reported by local media.
On Saturday, President Ruto declared the establishment of a National Multi-Sectoral Forum (NMSF) to tackle the grievances of the youth, who are at the forefront of the anti-government sentiment, according to NTV Kenya.
The protest movement’s members have issued a statement, “The youth of Kenya have unequivocally expressed the immediate necessity for the state to curb public theft and reduce the oversized cabinet, invest in vital services, take action against those who shot at unarmed protesters, and put an end to extrajudicial killings, among other demands.”
They added that the issues raised by the youth require decisive executive action rather than policy dialogue. The groups believe that the government’s use of decisive action, rather than a state-led national discussion, will restore the generation’s trust.
Kenya has experienced a series of anti-government protests over the last two weeks, initiated by youth opposing the Finance Bill 2024, prompting President Ruto to withhold his signature from the bill. The youth have vowed to continue their protests until their concerns are met.
The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) reported on Monday that 39 individuals have died and 361 have sustained injuries in connection with the nationwide protests.
Also Read: Kenya Anti-Tax Protests Leave 39 Dead, 361 Injured
