Tax hike in Kenya brought people to the streets

Police and demonstrators clashed in the demonstrations started in Kenya by the opposition coalition Azimio in the capital, Nairobi, Mombasa and Kisumu, and which were scheduled to last for 3 days. Arresting many people, the police intervened with tear gas against those blocking the roads. A fire broke out in a Kisumu market, gunshots heard in Nairobi sparked panic.

35-year-old businesswoman Jane Wambui, who took part in the rally, told the AA correspondent that they voted for William Ruto in the hope of a better future, but couldn’t even make ends meet because of the tax increase.

The 50-year-old taxi driver, Samuel Mwangi, also said rising fuel prices “killed his business” as most of his profits went into fuel. Before the protests, the government closed all educational institutions.

Last week, 10 people lost their lives in demonstrations in many cities, especially in the capital Nairobi and Mombasa, by the opposition.

Opponents of the government-enacted law, which contemplates tax increases, but which the Constitutional Court stopped executing over objections, want to end the cost of living. (AA)