Information
Kenyan police deployed tear gas against protesters in Nairobi on Thursday, despite President William Ruto’s decision to retract planned tax hikes that had ignited public outrage. The proposed tax increases, targeting essential items such as bread, cooking oil, and diapers, were intended to reduce Kenya’s substantial debt and stabilize its currency. However, the backlash, particularly from the youth, led to significant unrest and damage across the city. In response to the public’s vehement rejection, Ruto pledged to engage in dialogue with the youth and implement austerity measures, including cuts to the presidential budget, acknowledging that “the people have spoken.”
The protests, which represent the most severe crisis in Ruto’s two-year presidency, turned deadly, with over 20 fatalities reported nationwide during Tuesday’s demonstrations. The protests also saw the parliament building breached and ransacked, and Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi treated 160 injured individuals, some with bullet wounds. The international community, including Washington and the UN, has called for respect for peaceful protests and accountability for police actions. While some protesters felt their goals were achieved and chose not to continue demonstrating, others remained defiant, demanding Ruto’s resignation and even suggesting an invasion of State House, the president’s official residence.
Source: AFP, Reuters
So what
It is good to see that the government has publicly acknowledged the will of the people; while it is likely that protests will continue in the near term, it is also likely that they will be far less violent and long last than if the government had stood its ground. Additionally, it is possible that the current president may be pressured to step aside due to the large-scale response. This response also highlights the pressure the local population is under in Kenya, likely due to international inflation and the rising grain costs globally.
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