Security forces were deployed in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, on Thursday as protesters mourned those killed during demonstrations earlier in the week. At least 23 people are to have died on Tuesday, the same day a new finance bill was passed by Kenyan lawmakers. Part of the parliament building was set alight by protesters, and security forces reacted with tear gas and bullets.
Simultaneous protests were held across the country. On Wednesday, President William Ruto said he would drop the bill , which provided for increased taxes and was widely perceived as punishing the poor in a country where one third of people live under the poverty line. “The people have spoken,” he said.
“Fellow Kenyans! President Ruto listens. The finance bill 2024 is now shelved. Let’s not aid those who don’t wish our country well by staging protests to destabilise us.
Kenya is the only country that we have,” government spokesman Isaac Maigua Mwaura posted on Thursday afternoon on the social media platform X. READ MORE Ireland picks its horse as trading for EU jobs heats up Reform UK rally: Boos and cheers at political Punch and Judy show Green Party sneaks in under political foggy dew to fire warning shot across Labour’s bows Brazil’s Amazon dilemma: Rein in environmental commitments or face a far-right resurgence Some protesters continued to call for Mr Ruto to resign, but attempts to march to the State House, his official residence, on Thursday were thwarted by security forces blockin.
