Investigation launched after death of one person during anti-tax protest in Kenya – DW – 21.06.2024

One person was killed and at least 200 injured in protests across Kenya, a police watchdog and human rights groups said on Friday.

The East African country saw nationwide protests on Thursday against government plans to raise taxes by $2.7 billion (2.5 billion euros).

What do we know about the protests?

Five human rights groups said in a joint statement that police used tear gas and water cannon to disperse protesters in Kenya’s capital Nairobi.

The groups included London-based Amnesty International and the Kenya Medical Association.

The statement said the presence of cartridge cases indicated that police had used live ammunition.

Amnesty International later announced that more than 100 protesters had been arrested.

“We commend the several thousand demonstrators, including many young people, for their peaceful protest and for showing restraint and decency despite police provocations,” the human rights groups said.

The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA), a state agency set up to monitor and investigate police operations, said on Friday it had documented the death of a man “allegedly as a result of police gunfire, and several serious injuries sustained by other protesters, including police officers.” An investigation has been launched, the IPOA added.

News agencies cited a police report saying the 29-year-old died while being treated for a wound on his thigh.

Amnesty International spokesman Mathias Kinyoda told French news agency AFP that the man was shot while trying to flee from police.

What are the demonstrators demanding?

The protesters argue that the government’s new finance bill to increase taxes will weaken the economy and increase the cost of living for Kenyans.

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) said the Kenyan government needs to increase its revenues to reduce the budget deficit.

Lawmakers are expected to meet on Tuesday to vote on the proposed changes to the law.

sdi/rmt (AFP, Reuters)