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United Nations, African Union condemn violence in Kenya’s anti-tax protests

By Wycliffe Nyamasege
On 26 June 2024 at 09:11

The United Nations (UN) and the African Union (AU) have raised concerns over the violent protests witnessed in Kenya on Tuesday, which resulted in the loss of life and widespread property damage.

In separate statements, AU Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Commission Chairperson Mousa Faki urged the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, while also calling on peaceful demonstrations amid concerns over "punitive" taxes imposed on the citizenry by President William Ruto’s administration.

"I am deeply saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries - including of journalists and medical personnel - connected to protests and street demonstrations in Kenya.

"I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully," Guterres stated.

Faki, on his part, also called for constructive dialogue to address the issues raised by the protesters.

"The Chairperson urges all stakeholders to exercise calm and refrain from further violence. The Chairperson also appeals to national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues that led to the protests in the supreme interest of Kenya," Faki said.

He added, "The Chairperson reiterates the total solidarity of the African Union with the Government and People of Kenya and exhorts them to maintain peace, security and stability in the country."

Opposition leader Raila Odinga, who has expressed interest in heading the AU Commission next year, also condemned the killings reported on Tuesday, urging the state to "stop murdering Kenya’s children."

Odinga called on Ruto’s government to suspend the Finance Bill and pave the way for dialogue with the young people, "Gen Z," who comprised the majority of the protesters.

"I am deeply troubled by the violent and deadly crackdown on young, peaceful protesters exercising their right to peaceful assembly and freedom of expression," Odinga stated, adding, "Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs and a listening ear...This Bill is neither an emergency nor a life-and-death matter for the government and Kenyans."

Angry protesters stormed the Kenyan parliament in Nairobi after lawmakers passed the bill seeking to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes for the government.

The protesters overwhelmed a contingent of anti-riot police officers manning the parliament buildings, set police vehicles ablaze, and shattered the windows of some of the facilities.

At least five people died from gunshot wounds, and thirty-one others were injured during Tuesday’s protests, according to Amnesty International.

The human rights group said it documented 13 cases of people shot with live bullets, four with rubber bullets, and three people who were hit with launcher canisters.

The organization also revealed that 21 abductions and disappearances by uniformed and non-uniformed officers were reported ahead of Tuesday’s protests.

"We urge the State and all parties to de-escalate the situation and stop the use of lethal force to protect life," the organisation appealed.

President Ruto on Tuesday night termed the protests as treasonous and labelled the protesters as dangerous criminals. He vowed to crack down on the "organisers and financiers of the protests" to prevent a repeat of the same.

Debt burden

The Finance Bill 2024 is the latest in a series of measures aimed at maintaining Kenya’s creditworthiness in international markets. Currently, the country’s debt burden stands at 68% of GDP, which exceeds the World Bank and International Monetary Fund’s recommended threshold of 55% of GDP.

The opposition has in recent weeks faulted President Ruto’s proposed taxes, claiming he is under external pressure to overburn Kenyans struggling to make ends meet.

Pressure from Kenyans last week saw the Head of State allow several amendments. These included the withdrawal of proposed 16% VAT on bread, a 2.5% motor vehicle tax increase, and a hike in the tax on mobile money transfers from 15% to 20%.

Additionally, the proposal to introduce a Ksh150 per kilogram eco-tax on plastic packaging materials, batteries, and hygiene products such as diapers and sanitary pads was dropped.

Other taxes that remain untouched include proposals to increase import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the item’s value, payable by the importer at the port, as well as a 16% tax on goods and services intended for the direct and exclusive use in the construction and equipping of specialized hospitals with a minimum bed capacity of 50. Kenyans have expressed concerns that the latter could lead to higher costs for accessing critical health services such as cancer treatment, diabetes care, kidney dialysis, and other chronic illnesses.

AU Secretary-General António Guterres and AU Commission Chairperson Mousa Faki urged the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, while also calling on peaceful demonstrations amid concerns over "punitive" taxes imposed on the citizenry by President William Ruto’s administration.

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