Thousands of mostly young people demonstrated Thursday in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and across the country against new tax proposals introduced by President William Ruto’s administration in its annual budget legislation.

The protests paralyzed Nairobi’s central business district as horse-riding riot police deployed tear gas and water cannons against demonstrators advancing towards parliament buildings, where lawmakers were debating the finance bill.

Protesters, who initiated their demonstrations earlier in the week, are urging lawmakers to reject the legislation, which they argue will heavily burden salaried Kenyans, entrepreneurs, and consumers. They accuse Ruto of reneging on his promise to reduce taxes and lower the cost of living.

The proposed taxes include a 2.75% levy on income for the national medical insurance plan and increased taxes on vegetable oil and fuel, which would raise production costs and, consequently, consumer prices.

Although proposals to introduce a 16% value-added tax on bread and a new annual tax on motor vehicles were removed from the legislation on Tuesday following a meeting between Ruto and ruling party members, demonstrators insisted the amendments were insufficient and called for the total rejection of the budget legislation.

“Our parents have been taxed dry, yet there’s no development to show for it. We reject any additional taxes and will stay on the streets for as long as it takes,” said Ashley Mwai, a 19-year-old protester.

Businessman Walter Mwangi, 34, echoed her sentiment, saying taxes are already crippling his consultancy business. “We are sick and tired,” Mwangi said.

As lawmakers debated and voted on the legislation in its second reading, demonstrators attempted to breach a security cordon to access the parliament buildings, carrying anti-government placards and chanting slogans against Ruto.

Meanwhile, President Ruto attended a university event in Garissa, where anti-government protesters lined the street leading to the venue. Young people also demonstrated in Eldoret, the president’s hometown, expressing regret for having voted for Ruto.

Ruto acknowledged the constitutional right to protest but emphasized the role of government institutions in decision-making. “We are a democratic country. Those who want to demonstrate, it is their right, no problem. But decisions have to be made by institutions,” Ruto said on Wednesday.

Tuesday’s protests resulted in the arrest and subsequent release of more than 200 people. The right to protest is enshrined in the Kenyan constitution, requiring organizers to notify the police, who often grant permission unless there are security concerns. However, past anti-government protests in Nairobi have frequently been met with police force, including the use of live ammunition.

Righthussle:
Nigerians still sidon for house dey listen to Adeboye miracle stories of how handkerchief take make breast wey them cut grow brown new breast.

Zonefree:

That Adeboye "breast miracle" weak me

Righthussle:


That guy dey lie wetin no good. And na old man.

MhisterJay:
Pls, what is that thing being shot in the last photo?

agadez007:
In the so-called Giant of Africa,some people from the same ethnic group of the President will counter the Protest and the most Educated tribe in the world will swallow it hook,like and sinker
Nigeria is not supposed to be one

Zxcvbnmghtr:


Lol....but you guys are not broke, hungry sad and angry on that side nah. ITS FUNNY.

Racoon:
And the demented mummified zombies of the Tinubu govt are telling us we should continue to endure hardship and oppression because of ethno-religious politics and parochial sentiments?

Those who protest alleged hardship back then in 2012-14 including Buhari, Tinubu, El-Rufai, Sowore, Wole Soyinka, Tunde Bakare, Laureate Onochie( palm guzzler ), Jide Kosoko have all gone deaf and dumb activists and social crusaders. They have forgotten that karma is a bitch. What you sow is what you reap. Posterity will never forgive you all.

agadez007:
I didn’t even mention any names
But since the cap fits,wear it

Righthussle:
Nigerians still sidon for house dey listen to Adeboye miracle stories of how handkerchief take make breast wey them cut grow brand new breast.

Racoon:
See what Kenyans did in their own case. Kenyans refused to sit and watch their country go down the drain where the ruthless African leaders wants to drain them to.They refused the intimidation, oppression, repression and suppression by their home govt.

They violently revolted against their home government IMF-inspired oppressive taxation policy until their government revert it. They didn't sat as lame ducks or be doing Baba soope zombiesm. Your voices will be louder and your struggles will be heard loud enough across the globe, fight and fight harder!Docile giant of Africa

Racoon:
See what Kenyans did in their own case. Kenyans refused to sit and watch their country go down the drain where the ruthless African leaders wants to drain them to.They refused the intimidation, oppression, repression and suppression by their home govt.

They violently revolted against their home government IMF-inspired oppressive taxation policy until their government revert it. They didn't sat as lame ducks or be doing Baba soope zombiesm. Your voices will be louder and your struggles will be heard loud enough across the globe, fight and fight harder!Docile giant of Africa

Racoon:
And the demented mummified zombies of the Tinubu govt are telling us we should continue to endure hardship and oppression because of ethno-religious politics and parochial sentiments?

Those who protest alleged hardship back then in 2012-14 including Buhari, Tinubu, El-Rufai, Sowore, Wole Soyinka, Tunde Bakare, Laureate Onochie( palm guzzler ), Jide Kosoko have all gone deaf and dumb activists and social crusaders. They have forgotten that karma is a bitch. What you sow is what you reap. Posterity will never forgive you all.

Jostoman:
And we cannot protest against what is going on in this country because religion and tribalism.

DeLaRue:
Nigeria is going through an economic transition that should have happened decades ago.

All former Presidents from Obj knew subsidy was unsustainable but none had the courage to remove it.

The moment GEJ saw a few people protesting at Ojota, he panicked and declared he was no longer removing subsidy. You can't blame anybody for leader who lacked courage.

They also knew the refineries were not working. Did Obj, or GEJ revive any of the refineries?

Now we have a courageous leader who has removed the insidious subsidy as other President's should have done.

While subsidy removal has unforunately caused a lot of hardship, not removing it would have caused even worse hardship in the future.

Kenya has its problems. Our problems are different, and I believe Nigeria's economy will start turning the corner before the end of the year.

We do not need a protest here.

agadez007:
In the so-called Giant of Africa,some people from the same ethnic group of the President will counter the Protest and the most Educated tribe in the world will swallow it hook,like and sinker
Nigeria is not supposed to be one

Jostoman:
And we cannot protest against what is going on in this country because religion and tribalism.

fineboynl:
If you look at the protesters you will know Kenya is more modernized and develop than Nigeria.

If you watch Nigeria protect the people are mostly dirty and hangered looking.