Hundreds of demonstrators protesting against a law that plans to raise taxes stormed the Kenyan Parliament in the capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday and partially burned it moments after the controversial law was approved. Some deputies have been forced to flee through underground tunnels. The law enforcement forces fired live fire at those gathered to prevent them from entering the building, in an operation that has resulted in at least five deaths and dozens of injuries, according to Reuters. A platform made up of around twenty NGOs claims that the riots have left 17 dead, 86 injured and 52 detained. The Government has deployed the army.
In videos broadcast through the social network In other parts of Nairobi there have been clashes between protesters and the police, who have used rubber bullets, tear gas and water cannons to try to disperse citizens. The City Hall building has also been burned.
Amnesty International and other human rights and professional groups, such as the Kenya Medical Association and the Kenya Law Society, have provided different victim figures in a statement: they claim that five people have died and that another 31 have been injured, 13 them by the impact of real bullets and four by rubber balls. “Despite assurances given by the Government that the right to assembly would be protected and facilitated, today’s protests have degenerated into violence. “Human rights observers and medical officials have reported several incidents of human rights violations,” the statement said.
For its part, a source from the Kenya Police Reform Working Group (PRWG-Kenya), made up of about twenty associations, has assured Efe that there have been 17 deaths, 14 of them in Nairobi, 86 injured and 52 detained. 43 of them in the Kenyan capital. The deployment of the army has been ordered in a decree published in the Official State Gazette that explains that this measure is due to “the security emergency caused by the ongoing violent protests in various parts of the Republic of Kenya, which resulted in destruction and violation of critical infrastructure.” “The Kenya Defense Forces will deploy on June 25, 2024 in support of the National Police Service,” Kenyan Defense Minister Aden Duale has also confirmed.
A paralyzed country
Protests against tax increases became widespread last week and paralyzed much of the country. Last Thursday, some protesters already tried to enter Parliament when the second reading of the law was taking place. Social media was flooded with the hashtags RejectFinanceBill2024 and Occupy Parliament. That same day, one person was killed and 200 injured due to the police response. About a hundred protesters were arrested, according to Amnesty International.
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Despite the intensity of the protests and the announcement of new demonstrations, legislators were summoned this Tuesday for a third reading and vote on the law, which went ahead with 195 votes in favor, 106 against and three null votes. Parliament is dominated by the Kenya Kwanza (KK) government coalition led by President William Ruto, who won the elections in 2022. Opposition lawmakers have expressed support for the protesters.
Significant tax increases
The Government’s controversial bill reached Parliament last May and covers a wide range of reforms and tax increases. Among the most questioned by citizens is the 5% increase in the rates on bank transfers and payments via mobile phone, a widespread practice in Kenya. Also proposed is a 16% increase in the tax on bread and 25% on vegetable oil, an additional charge of 2.75% for employees enrolled in the national health insurance scheme and a 2.5% annual tax. for motor vehicles.
In addition, the law grants powers to the Administration to access bank and mobile money accounts to enforce the payment of these taxes. Another unpopular measure included in the new rule is the so-called ecological tax, which would cause an increase in prices on personal and children’s hygiene products, such as wipes, sanitary pads and diapers, as well as digital products, mobile phones, cameras and other recording equipment. .
On Tuesday the 18th, in view of the extent of the protests, Parliament announced important amendments to the draft law, announcing the withdrawal of taxes on bread, oil, vehicles and financial transactions, including money payments. mobile, and reducing rates on health and home insurance for wage earners. He also promised that the eco-tax would only apply to imported hygiene products, not those made in Kenya. Despite this, tens of thousands of citizens demanded the complete withdrawal of the law and maintained the concentrations.
During the 2022 election campaign, Ruto promised reforms to improve the living conditions of Kenyans, but a year later his government already approved a 1.5% tax on housing and doubled VAT on petroleum products from 8 % to 16%. The president has justified these rate increases to be able to face the public debt, which amounts to about 765 million euros. “We are a democratic country. Those who want to demonstrate are within their rights, there is no problem, but the decisions have to be made by the institutions,” he said last Wednesday.
From now on, Ruto has a period of 14 days to sign the new law, which would mean its final approval, or he can return it to Parliament for further amendments.
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