Civil society groups say 210 people were arrested, including protesters, journalists and human rights group observers at the demonstration in Nairobi.
Kenya’s government has withdrawn plans to impose multiple tax increases, the presidency said, announcing changes to a controversial bill as police fired tear gas at protesters gathered near the parliament building.
“The Finance Law has been amended to remove the proposed 16 percent VAT on bread, sugar transportation, financial services, foreign exchange transactions, as well as the 2.5 percent motor vehicle tax,” the presidency said in a statement on Tuesday.
The bill generated widespread opposition. Police fired tear gas to disperse hundreds of people who took part in protests dubbed “Occupy Parliament” near the parliament building in the capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday.
Civil society groups said 210 people were arrested, including protesters, journalists and observers from human rights groups.
Human rights group Amnesty Kenya said some of its staff observing the protests had been arrested.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters and observers,” the group said.
We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters and observers. We call the @NPSOfficial_KE uphold its duty to protect and respect the rights of Kenyan citizens to peacefully assemble. #OccupyParliament pic.twitter.com/wtadO7DI2l
— Amnesty Kenya (@AmnestyKenya) June 18, 2024
Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei said on Tuesday that no groups had been given permission to protest in the capital. The right to peaceful protests is guaranteed in Kenya’s Constitution, but organizers are required to notify the police in advance. Police usually give the go-ahead unless there are safety concerns.
Law Society of Kenya president Faith Odhiambo said police used tear gas on lawyers at a Nairobi police station as they sought to see their clients.
The proposed tax changes contained in the government financing bill for the 2024/25 financial year are the latest effort by President William Ruto’s administration to increase revenues and reduce borrowing.
Last year it introduced a housing tax and increased contributions to the national health scheme, in moves that also sparked protests.
Ruto last month defended the proposed taxes, saying the country must be financially self-sustainable.
“The whole principle is that you should live within your means,” he said. “I have convinced and advocated for the people of Kenya that we must start increasing our incomes.”
Opposition leader Raila Odinga urged lawmakers to examine the bill and vote to remove clauses that would burden the poor.
“It is worse than 2023, an investment killer and a huge millstone around the neck of millions of poor Kenyans who must have hoped that the tears they shed over taxes last year would cause the government to ease the tax burden in 2024,” he said in a statement in early June.
On Wednesday and Thursday, lawmakers will hold a line-by-line debate and vote on legislation underpinning the budget.
This story originally appeared on Aljazeera.com read the full story
