Nairobi
Controversial but watered-down finance bill that many fear will up cost of living is due to be debated in parliament.
Police in Kenya deploy tear gas and water cannons to disperse demonstrators near parliament in Nairobi, protesting planned tax hikes amid fears of exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis.
Tense scenes unfolded on Thursday as hundreds took to the streets opposing a finance bill proposing new taxes and levies that would escalate prices of essential goods.
The tax increases aimed to generate 346.7 billion shillings ($2.7bn), equating to 1.9 percent of GDP, and reduce the budget deficit from 5.7 percent to 3.3 percent of GDP.
President William Ruto’s cash-strapped government made concessions on Tuesday, revising the bill after clashes between mostly young protesters and police. Despite this, the government intends to proceed with some tax hikes, citing the necessity to bolster finances and reduce external borrowing.
Protests have spread across Kenya, including Mombasa and Kisumu, traditional opposition strongholds. In Nairobi, lawmakers debated the bill’s second reading on Thursday, with a deadline for passage before June 30. Heavy police presence and roadblocks surrounded parliament amid ongoing demonstrations.
