top of page

Kenya braces for fresh protests despite president's tax climbdown

A man walks past police officers ahead of a planned demonstration over police killings of people protesting against Kenya's proposed finance bill 2024/2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, June 27, 2024. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi
A man walks past police officers ahead of a planned demonstration over police killings of people protesting against Kenya's proposed finance bill 2024/2025, in Nairobi, Kenya, June 27, 2024. /Monicah Mwangi

NAIROBI - Kenyan police put up roadblocks on streets leading to the presidential palace on Thursday as some protesters vowed to "occupy State House", despite the president's climbdown on proposed tax hikes that sparked a week of demonstrations.


It was not clear how far protesters would be mollified by President William Ruto's Wednesday decision to withdraw the finance bill a day after clashes killed at least 23 people and parliament was briefly stormed and set alight.


Ruto is grappling with the most serious crisis of his two-year-old presidency as the youth-led protest movement has grown rapidly from online condemnations of the tax hikes into mass rallies demanding a political overhaul.


Lacking a formal leadership structure, however, protest supporters were divided on how far to carry the demonstrations.


"Let's not be foolish as we fight for a better Kenya," Boniface Mwangi, a prominent social justice activist, said in an Instagram post.


He voiced support for demonstrations on Thursday but opposed calls to invade State House, the president's formal offices and residence, a move that he said could spur more violence and be used to justify a crackdown.


The capital, Nairobi, was calm on Thursday morning as police and soldiers patrolled the streets and blocked access to the State House. There were no signs of protesters mobilising for demonstrations.


Reuters reporters saw army vehicles on the streets, after the government deployed the military to help police rein in the violence.


However, hundreds of protesters gathered in the port city of Mombasa and in the western city of Kisumu, local television footage showed, although those gatherings appeared peaceful.


While some protest supporters said they would not demonstrate on Thursday as the finance bill had been scrapped, others pledged to press on, saying only Ruto's resignation would satisfy them.


"Right now is not about just the finance bill but about #RutoMustGo," political activist and protester Davis Tafari told Reuters in a text message. "We have to make sure that Ruto and his MPs have resigned and fresh elections are held ... We occupy State House for dignity and justice."


Eli Owuor, 34, from Kibera, an informal settlement and a traditional hotbed of protests, also said he was prepared to join a push on to the State House.


"We may just need to visit Zakayo today in his house to prove that after parliament we can occupy State House," he said, using a nickname protesters have given to Ruto that references a a corrupt biblical tax collector.


DIALOGUE, AUSTERITY ARE NEXT STEPS


In a speech on Wednesday, Ruto defended his push to raise taxes on items such as bread, cooking oil and diapers, saying it was justified by the need to cut Kenya's high debt, which has made borrowing difficult and squeezed the currency.


But he acknowledged that the public had overwhelmingly rejected the finance bill. He said he would now start a dialogue with Kenyan youth and work on austerity measures, beginning with cuts to the budget of the presidency.


The International Monetary Fund, which has been urging the government to cut its deficit to obtain more funding, said it was closely monitoring the situation in Kenya.


"We are deeply concerned about the tragic events in Kenya in recent days," the IMF said in a statement. "Our main goal in supporting Kenya is to help it overcome the difficult economic challenges it faces and improve its economic prospects and the well-being of its people."


Ratings agency Moody's said the shift in focus to cutting spending rather than boosting revenue will complicate the disbursement of future IMF funding and slow the pace of fiscal consolidation.


Analysts at JPMorgan said they had maintained their forecasts for a deficit of 4.5% of GDP in FY2024/2025, but acknowledged the government and IMF targets could be revised in light of recent developments.


They said the Central Bank of Kenya was unlikely to begin cutting rates until the final quarter of this year.


BROAD APPEAL


Unlike previous demonstrations in Kenya called by political figures and often mobilised on the basis of ethnicity, the current protests have appealed broadly to those weary of rising living costs and endemic corruption.


From big cities to rural areas, most of Kenya's 47 counties saw protests on Tuesday, even in Ruto's hometown of Eldoret in his ethnic Kalenjin heartland.


At least 23 people were killed nationwide and 30 were being treated for bullet wounds, the Kenya Medical Association said. Medical officials in Nairobi said scores were injured.

Source: Reuters

Comentarios


Top Stories

Advertise Now (1).png
Trump to Sign Orders Reviving US Coal Industry & Energy Exports | Energy for AI Data Centers

Trump to Sign Orders Reviving US Coal Industry & Energy Exports | Energy for AI Data Centers

President Trump is set to sign executive orders to boost US coal production, revive mining rights on federal lands, and speed up exports. These moves aim to fuel energy-hungry data centers and declare coal a critical mineral. Watch to learn how this could reshape America’s energy future. #Trump #CoalIndustry #USPolitics #ExecutiveOrder #EnergyCrisis #FossilFuels #DataCenters #AmericanEnergy #CriticalMinerals #WashingtonDC Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Tokyo Opens as U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs Take Effect | Market Watch

Tokyo Opens as U.S. Reciprocal Tariffs Take Effect | Market Watch

Global markets react as Tokyo opens for trading just before the U.S. enforces new reciprocal tariffs on Wednesday. Investors closely watch developments between Japan and the U.S. as trade tensions rise. Stay tuned for real-time market updates and expert insights. Subscribe for more global economic coverage. #GlobalMarkets #JapanStockMarket #USJapanTrade #Tariffs #TokyoTrading #TradeTensions #MarketNews #StockMarketLive #USPolitics #FinanceUpdate Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Arsenal & Real Madrid Post-Match Press Conferences | UCL QF

Arsenal & Real Madrid Post-Match Press Conferences | UCL QF

Watch the full post-match press conferences from Arsenal and Real Madrid following the thrilling first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash in London. Hear from the managers and key players as they react, analyze, and look ahead to the decisive second leg. Don’t miss these exclusive insights from the football giants! #UCL #Arsenal #RealMadrid #ChampionsLeague #Football #Soccer #UCL2025 #PressConference #ArsRma #UEFA Amaravati Today is a news channel that provides the latest updates on world affairs and sports events. It covers a wide range of topics, including international politics, major global incidents, and sports highlights #WorldNews #GlobalInsights #AmaravatiToday #News #InternationalNews #GlobalNews #Politics Subscribe to the Amaravati Today channel and tap the bell icon to receive notifications whenever we go live https://www.youtube.com/@Amaravati_Today_Official Follow Amaravati Today on x or Twitter: https://x.com/amaravati_today Follow Amaravati Today on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stories/amaravatitodayofficial/ Follow Amaravati Today on Rumble: https://rumble.com/user/Amaravatitoday Follow Amaravati Today on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/amaravati-today/ Follow Amaravati Today on WhatsApp: https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHWoNe5q08TF4NFKv3d Website: https://www.amaravati.today/ Source: Reuters
Bayern & Inter Post-Match Reactions | UCL QF 1st Leg Press Talks
9.png
Live Streams | Facts | Analysis | Explainers | Breaking News

Get in Touch

Manikondu Pvt Ltd
SY. 130P & 115/1P, ISB Rd
Financial District, Gachibowli
Hyderabad, India 500032
letstalk {at} amaravati (dot) today

Follow us on

  • X
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Facebook
  • Instagram

© 2024 by Amaravati Today | Privacy Policy | Imprint & Dsiclaimer | CIN: U70200TS2024PTC184435

bottom of page