On Friday, Kenyan law enforcement actively dispersed a gathering of demonstrators who were marching in protest against a recently enacted finance legislation by using tear gas. This new law has resulted in a twofold increase in fuel taxes and the introduction of a housing levy imposed upon employees.
Broadcasted on the privately owned television channel KTN News, footage revealed a chaotic scene in the port city of Mombasa. Motorists quickly maneuvered their vehicles to reverse direction on the tear gas-filled street, while protesters ran for refuge, attempting to distance themselves from the disturbance.
The private Daily Nation newspaper reported that additional instances of tear gas deployment occurred in Nairobi, the capital city. To restore order and ensure the smooth flow of traffic, the police intervened to disperse protesters who had erected barricades on sections of two roads.
The government under President William Ruto has stated that the implemented tax increases, projected to generate an additional 200 billion shillings ($1.42 billion) annually, are necessary to address mounting debt obligations and support initiatives aimed at job creation. The government asserts that these measures are crucial in ensuring financial stability and funding programs that stimulate economic growth.