For the second time in a week, Kenya's people took to the streets in protest of the government's planned tax increases. Sources say many protesters were murdered in clashes with police forces on Wednesday, July 12.
Protests That Resulted in Casualties
Opiyo Wandayi, leader of the opposition in Kenya's parliament, told CNN that activists in Nairobi were violently dispersed by police after they chanted against the planned tax hikes. Damaging rallies spread across the country.
"I was involved in the Nairobi protests. We were dispersed with water cannons, tear gas canisters, and live bullets," Wandayi stated. He said people were slain in conflicts around the nation.
At the time of the interview, Wandayi added: "We are still verifying, but so far, we have confirmed nine deaths across the country. The numbers might increase because there were many people with fatal injuries."
At about the same time on Wednesday, the media began reporting injuries from the demonstrations.
Three people were slain in Mlolongo city in Machakos county, two were killed in Kitengela town near Nairobi, and one was killed in Emali town on the route to the port city of Mombasa, according to a police officer who talked to AP News. The officer said that over a dozen additional people were hospitalized.
The source claimed, without providing details, that the six victims were shot for causing disruptions to local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Eagle Nursing Home clinic in Nairobi's Kangemi neighborhood treated 53 children after tear gas was released into their classroom, a health records worker told the AP News.
Opposition to Price Increases
Kenya's opposition leader and ex-prime minister, Raila Odinga, has been at the forefront of demands for statewide demonstrations in the wake of the price hikes.
After losing the election in August of last year, Odinga, who is certain that the results were rigged, has been leading civil disobedience actions against his opponent.
Although President William Ruto has commended the Finance Act 2023, which is intended to strengthen state finances and raise domestic income, its execution has been temporarily delayed by a Kenyan court.
Despite a court injunction not to raise taxes on gasoline, the Ruto government did so, driving up the price of both transportation and basic necessities.
Wandayi told CNN that many Kenyans have suffered greatly as a result of the tax increase. "Kenyans are basically now on their knees. These new tax proposals have added serious pain to an already difficult situation. Kenyans who are on payroll are taking home negative salaries, and those who are in the informal sector are unable to make ends meet."
He added that many Kenyans cannot afford to feed their families enough within a day and that many are frustrated with the present state of affairs.
