Violent civil unrest in Kenya turns deadly in protests against tax-hike bill

On Tuesday, hundreds of protesters stormed Kenya’s parliament building, partially setting it on fire and forcing politicians to escape through underground tunnels. Police fired live bullets at the crowds, killing 5. In total, at least 22 people were killed in the unrest and hundreds more injured, mostly by rubber bullets and tear gas deployed by security forces. The businesses and houses of members of parliament were set on fire, and business operations across the capital city of Nairobi were paralysed due to large crowds blocking roads.

Why has this happened?

On Tuesday, a controversial tax law was passed which would have introduced new taxes on several basic items, as well as an eco-levy increasing the price of goods such as period products and nappies. Digital products such as mobile phones would also fall under the eco-levy, sparking fears that this would harm the growth of the digital economy, on which many Kenyans rely for their livelihoods.

The law was widely regarded as imposing extra financial burdens on businesses and ordinary citizens. Whilst lawmakers argued that the bill was necessary to lighten Kenya’s heavy debt load, many Kenyans blame the government for causing the debt through unnecessary spending. Increasing frustrations over the rising cost of living further fuelled the scale of the unrest.

In response to the protests, the president announced on Wednesday that he was withdrawing the tax bill, stating that he is “listening keenly to the people…who have said loudly that they want nothing to do with [it].”

However, this is not to say that the risk of further unrest has dissolved. The killing of Kenyan citizens by security forces, as well as wider issues faced by ordinary Kenyans such as financial struggles, inequality, and ethnic tensions, means that the country is still at risk of violent unrest.