Fatshimetrie: Kenya in the grip of violent protests
Kenya has recently been the scene of violent protests that shook the country and sparked chain reactions. The adoption of the controversial finance bill was marred by violence, leading to loss of life and property. This prompted the Minister of Defense to deploy the army, and President William Ruto to address the nation.
During his speech, President Ruto noted that recent events mark a critical turning point in the way the country responds to serious threats to its national security. He assured the nation that the government was mobilizing all available resources to prevent such situations from happening again, whatever the cost.
Protesters attempted to storm the Presidential Palace in the town of Nakuru, while ruling party offices were set on fire in Embu, central Kenya. Reports indicate that fifty Kenyans, including the personal assistant to the president of the Kenya Law Society, were “kidnapped” by individuals believed to be police officers. Among the missing are people who were particularly active during the protests and who were arrested at their homes, workplaces or public spaces before Tuesday’s protests, according to civil society groups.
Despite calls for dialogue, tension remains palpable. President Ruto promised young Kenyans to establish a framework for discussion and implement the resulting results. However, he stressed that national debates must respect the fundamental values on which the country is built: constitutionalism, the rule of law and respect for institutions.
The Chairperson of the African Union Commission called on national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue. Officials recently dropped some of the bill’s controversial tax proposals, but frustrations over the high cost of living persist.
In Nairobi, a regional hub for expatriates and home to a major United Nations complex, inequalities among Kenyans have increased, as have frustrations over state corruption. Last year’s finance law introduced a 1.5% tax on employees’ gross income for housing, as well as an increase in value-added tax on petroleum products from 8% to 16%. .
In a context marked by violence and uncertainty, Kenya finds itself at a crucial moment in its history, where dialogue and mutual understanding seem to be the keys to overcoming divisions and building a better future for all Kenyans.