In the heart of Nairobi, Kenya’s bustling capital, the atmosphere is boiling with massive citizen protest against proposed tax hikes proposed in a financial bill due to be presented to Parliament. More than 200 demonstrators were arrested, but this in no way dampens the determination of civil society groups to continue the demonstrations and sit-ins planned around the National Assembly.
Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei said no groups had received permission to protest in the capital. While the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution, organizers must normally notify the police in advance. Generally, permissions are granted unless there are security concerns.
On Tuesday, police used tear gas against hundreds of demonstrators, forcing businesses to temporarily close for fear of looting.
A lawyer, Wanjohi Gachie, expressed his commitment to all Kenyans potentially affected by the tax hikes. “I ask the police not to arrest or beat us because we are also fighting for their rights,” he said.
Some of the bill’s key tax proposals were dropped after a meeting on Tuesday morning between ruling party MPs and President William Ruto. The chairman of the finance committee, Kuria Kimani, announced that the proposal to introduce a 16% value added tax on bread had been abandoned. Other controversial taxes were also amended, including a proposed 2.5% annual motor vehicle tax that was to be imposed on insurance.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga urged MPs to review the bill and vote to remove clauses that would burden the poorest.
“This bill is worse than the 2023 bill, an investment killer and a crushing burden on millions of poor Kenyans who hoped that the tears they shed last year over taxes would push the government to ease the tax burden in 2024,” he said in a statement in early June.
Opponent Kalonzo Musyoka announced that weekly protests would resume if the financial bill was approved as proposed.
Lawmakers are scheduled to debate the bill starting Wednesday, with a vote scheduled for Monday.
Last year, the Finance Act introduced a 1.5% tax on employees’ gross income for housing, despite concerns about its impact on Kenyans already facing high costs of living. The law also doubled the value-added tax on petroleum products, from 8% to 16%.