In the latest wave of protests against the escalating cost of living, six people were killed during clashes with police on Wednesday, July 12, police reported.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga is leading these protests in Kenya, targeting a recent law that imposes extra taxes. His call has prompted massive demonstrations across the nation.
The local authorities revealed the locations of the fatalities, with three in Mlolongo town, two in Kitengela town, close to Nairobi, and one in Emali town on the route to Mombasa. There are also over ten individuals who suffered injuries and required hospitalization. Human rights organizations have condemned the Kenyan police for their violent approach during these demonstrations.
An incident involving tear gas in a Nairobi school during the protests affected over 50 children. After being treated at a local clinic, the children, aged between 10 and 15, were returned to their parents. Alvin Sikuku, a health records worker, stated that the situation had calmed down after the initial shock.
Opposition supporters, protesting in different parts of Nairobi, blocked a toll expressway’s entrance and ignited tires. The expressway, seen as an emblem of inequality, is primarily used by the affluent, a stark contrast to the majority of residents who face daily traffic congestion. These actions caused significant traffic disruptions and damaged public assets, according to the interior ministry.
Raila Odinga, in his response to the unrest, criticized the police for impeding his planned speech venue. He vowed to continue the protests, arguing for the removal of the new tax measures. He highlighted the ongoing struggles faced by Kenyans due to the country’s debt and soaring prices, including heightened taxes on petroleum products.
These protests put further pressure on President William Ruto, who has pledged to lighten Kenyans’ financial load. The economic repercussions of the demonstrations have disrupted daily routines, affecting schools and workplaces. Critics have also expressed concerns about the constitutionally protected right to peaceful assembly being undermined by the police’s insistence on prior notice of demonstrations.
