Tear Gas and Turmoil: Nairobi Protests Rage Over New Tax Bill
Chaos erupted in Nairobi today as police unleashed tear gas and water cannons on protesters outside the parliament. Furious crowds rallied against a controversial finance bill packed with new taxes and levies, threatening to worsen Kenya’s spiralling cost-of-living crisis.
Government Targets Billions in Tax Hikes
The new tax measures could haul in a hefty 346.7 billion shillings (£2 billion), about 1.9% of Kenya’s GDP. Officials claim these hikes will slash the budget deficit from 5.7% to 3.3%, tightening state finances amid economic turmoil.
Ruto’s Govt Backs Down – But Only a Little
After violent protests, President William Ruto’s cash-strapped government softened some parts of the bill. Despite fierce public backlash, they insist the core tax rises must go ahead to shore up government revenue and cut back on borrowing.
More Rallies and Roadblocks as Tension Boils Over
- Protesters vow to keep up the pressure with rallies planned in Mombasa and Kisumu, key opposition hotspots.
- Inside parliament, fiery clashes marked the finance bill’s second reading, with a final vote looming before June 30.
- Police have ramped up security around parliament, sealing off roads and staging a heavy presence to clamp down on unrest.
As the nation grapples with economic pain, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This tax showdown will hit Kenyan pockets hard and shape the country’s financial future.
