Foreign News
Kenya Gears Up For Additional Protests Despite Ruto’s Policy Reversal
Kenya prepared for fresh protests amid heightened security on Thursday, following significant government concessions to revoke controversial tax hikes after violent demonstrations that included the storming of parliament.
The recent protests, predominantly led by young Kenyans, caught authorities off-guard as President William Ruto’s administration oscillated between crackdowns and calls for dialogue.
Police in riot gear blocked access to State House and parliament, while many shops remained closed due to fears of further unrest.
After initially taking a hard line, Ruto reversed course on Wednesday by refusing to sign the tax increases into law and withdrawing the bill, acknowledging public outcry.
However, protesters planned to continue their demonstrations in memory of those killed, criticizing Ruto’s reversal as too late.
Despite Ruto’s statements of engagement, protesters, including prominent activist Hanifa Adan, dismissed them as PR tactics, highlighting previous derogatory remarks towards demonstrators.
Amid international concern and calls for accountability, rights groups documented 22 deaths and hundreds injured nationwide from the recent unrest.
The government, facing fiscal challenges and pressure from international lenders like the IMF, had initially justified the tax hikes to manage Kenya’s substantial debt burden. Analysts warned of a precarious economic and political balancing act ahead for Ruto’s administration.
Credit: Core TV