Civil society groups in Kenya have reported that 210 people were arrested during a demonstration in Nairobi, including protesters, journalists, and observers from rights groups. The protest was in response to the government’s plans to impose multiple tax hikes, which sparked widespread opposition. The presidency has since announced amendments to the controversial bill, stating that the Finance Bill will no longer include a proposed 16 percent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, foreign exchange transactions, and the 2.5 percent Motor Vehicle Tax.
Despite the government’s decision to retract some of the proposed tax hikes, police fired tear gas at protesters gathered near the parliament building in Nairobi. The demonstration, called “Occupy Parliament,” aimed to voice opposition to the tax changes contained in the funding bill for the 2024/25 fiscal year. Civil society groups have called for the immediate and unconditional release of all those arrested during the protest, including observers from organizations like Amnesty Kenya. The right to peaceful protests is guaranteed in the Kenyan Constitution, but organizers are required to notify the police beforehand.
Kenya Law Society President Faith Odhiambo reported that police used tear gas on lawyers seeking to see their clients at a Nairobi police station during the demonstrations. The proposed tax changes are part of President William Ruto’s administration’s efforts to boost revenue and reduce borrowing. Last year, the government introduced a housing tax and increased contributions to the national health scheme, which also led to protests. Ruto has defended the proposed taxes, stating that the country must be financially self-sustaining and live within its means.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga has urged legislators to scrutinize the bill and vote to remove clauses that would burden the poor. He criticized the proposed tax changes as being worse than those implemented in the previous year, calling them an “investment killer” and a burden on millions of poor Kenyans. Lawmakers are scheduled to hold a line-by-line debate and vote on the legislation underpinning the budget on Wednesday and Thursday. The outcome of these debates will determine the fate of the proposed tax hikes and their impact on the Kenyan population.
The protests and arrests in Nairobi highlight the growing tensions between the government and civil society groups over economic policies and taxation. While the government argues for financial self-sustainability and increased revenue, critics like Odinga point out the disproportionate burden these tax changes place on the poor. The upcoming debates in parliament will be crucial in determining the final outcome of the tax legislation and its implications for the country’s economy and population. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the government will respond to the concerns raised by protesters and civil society organizations regarding the proposed tax hikes.
