Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, witnessed police firing tear gas at small groups of demonstrators on Thursday, following President William Ruto’s decision to scrap contentious tax hikes and call for dialogue after recent deadly protests.
Protests led predominantly by young Kenyans have put the government on alert, resulting in a fluctuating response between strict crackdowns and calls for dialogue. Dozens of protesters gathered in Nairobi’s central business district, only to be met by police in anti-riot gear and soldiers blocking access to key government buildings such as State House and parliament.
Journalists from AFP observed officers dispersing protesters with tear gas and arresting three individuals, while local TV footage showed isolated clashes in Nairobi. The city’s shops largely remained closed due to fears of further unrest.
Similar protests occurred in Mombasa and the opposition stronghold of Kisumu, where demonstrators blocked roads and lit bonfires.
The turmoil followed dramatic scenes on Tuesday when the parliament complex was partly set ablaze and ransacked by protesters, leading to police firing live rounds. President Ruto, in a surprise move, subsequently withdrew the tax hike bill, stating, “The people have spoken,” and expressing a desire to engage with the nation’s youth.
Despite this reversal, many protesters planned to continue their demonstrations on Thursday in memory of those killed. Prominent activist Hanifa Adan criticized Ruto’s response as mere public relations, pointing out his earlier condemnation of protesters as “criminals.”
A state-backed rights group reported 22 deaths nationwide from Tuesday’s protests, with 19 fatalities in Nairobi alone, and vowed to investigate the violence.
The unrest has drawn international concern, with calls from Washington for Kenya to respect peaceful protest rights and the UN urging accountability for the bloodshed. Rights groups have accused authorities of abducting protesters, but police have not responded to these allegations.
President Ruto’s decision to scrap the tax hikes follows last week’s rollback of some measures, which the treasury warned would lead to a significant budget shortfall. The government had justified the increases as necessary to service Kenya’s massive debt, which stands at approximately 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), equivalent to around 70% of GDP.
Analysts predict Ruto’s administration faces tough decisions ahead. According to Oxford Economics, the government must navigate between appeasing a populace ready to protest for their livelihoods and managing a precarious macroeconomic trajectory that requires substantial multilateral support to avoid a financial crisis.
