Young people have been protesting to mark the first anniversary of a mass protest that culminated in the storming of Kenya’s parliament and the killing of protesters by the security forces.
Protests against the government’s plan to increase taxes erupted last June, forcing President William Ruto to retract a controversial finance bill.
Since Ruto became president in 2022, taxes on salaries have gone up, the sales tax on fuel has doubled and people are also paying a new housing levy and health insurance tax.
The controversial finance bill was aimed at raising $2.7bn (£2bn) the government said it needed to cut its reliance on external borrowing.
The clampdown by the security forces on a series of protests left at least 65 people dead, the disappearance of 89 others and the arrest of thousands, according to Amnesty International, external. The government put the death toll at 42.
Protests had fizzled out but started again this month following the death in police custody of teacher and blogger Albert Ojwang.
The young Kenyans, labelled Gen Z protesters, are angered by Ruto’s government, accusing it of being arrogant and untrustworthy.
They are demanding President Ruto’s resignation.
Credit: bbc.com
