Kenyan Capital Protests: Police Shoot Dead at Least Five Amid Tax Increase Demonstrations

Police in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, have shot dead at least five people during huge protests against planned tax increases, according to the Kenya Medical Association.

A journalist form the Reuters news agency also reported counting the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament.

Earlier, the crowds broke through police cordons and entered parliament, setting part of the complex alight.

Fire also broke out in Nairobi City Hall.

About 40 people are being treated in hospital.

Kenyans are protesting over a new finance bill that introduces unpopular tax proposals that have drawn a lot of anger across the nation.

The controversial bill, which has provisions that are seen as imposing extra burdens on ordinary citizens and businesses, has sparked a huge outcry from a public already weighed down by the high cost of living.

It has triggered youth-led protests, which, though largely peaceful, have led to at least one death and hundreds of injuries as well as arrests – all of which have been condemned by lawyers and human rights groups.

The government has dropped some of the contentious proposals, but it has done little to assuage public anger.

Many now want the entire bill scrapped.

On social media, there have been calls for protest and demands that lawmakers oppose the tax increases.

Amendments to the bill look set to be approved but some of the controversial provisions initially put forward included a plan to introduce a 16% sales tax on bread and 25% duty on cooking oil.

There was also a planned increase in the tax on financial transactions as well as a new annual tax on vehicle ownership amounting to 2.5% of the value of the vehicle.

The government said it was dropping these measures amid a public outcry.

The eco levy, described as a charge on products that contribute to e-waste and harm the environment, was another key provision of the bill that the government has now suggested amendments to.

Critics pointed out that it would lead to the increase in the cost of essential items such as sanitary pads, which was seen as insensitive, as there are many girls who, unable to afford these products, often miss school during their periods.

Babies’ nappies would also be affected.

Following an outcry, the government said the levy would apply only on imported products, arguing that this would the boost growth of local industries.

The other key target of this eco levy is digital products, including mobile phones, cameras and recording equipment as well as TV and radio equipment. A rise in the cost of these products is seen as harmful to the growth of the digital economy, which many Kenyans rely on for their livelihoods.

(BBC News)