NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — More than 200 demonstrators have been arrested in the Kenyan capital Nairobi amid ongoing protests against proposed tax increases in a financing bill soon to be introduced in parliament.
Civil society groups said demonstrations and a planned sit-down outside the parliament buildings would continue despite the arrest of 210 protesters.
Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei said on Tuesday that no group had been allowed to protest in the capital. The right to peaceful protests is guaranteed in the Kenyan constitution, but organizers are required to notify police in advance. The police generally give permission unless there are safety concerns.
Police threw tear gas canisters at hundreds of protesters on Tuesday, forcing businesses to temporarily close over fears of looting.
A lawyer, Wanjohi Gachie, said he was protesting on behalf of all Kenyans who might be burdened by the tax hikes.
“I request the police not to arrest or beat us because we are also fighting for their rights,” he said.
Some key tax proposals in the bill were withdrawn after a Tuesday morning meeting between lawmakers from the ruling party and the president William Ruto.
Finance Committee chairman Kuria Kimani said the proposal to introduce a 16% value-added tax on bread had been dropped.
Other levies that have sparked debate and have been amended include a proposed 2.5% annual motor tax that would be levied on insurance.
A proposed tax on goods that damage the environment will also be changed to apply only to imported goods to encourage local production.
Rights group Amnesty Kenya said its staff who observed the protests had been arrested.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters and observers,” the group said.
Faith Odhiambo, president of the Kenya Law Society, said police used tear gas on lawyers at a police station in Nairobi as they tried to see their clients.
Ruto last month defended the proposed taxes, saying the country must be financially self-sufficient.
“The whole principle is that you have to live within your means,” he said. “I have convinced and advocated for the people of Kenya that we must increase our income.”
Opposition leader Raila Odinga urged lawmakers to scrutinize 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 necks of millions of poor Kenyans who must have hoped that the tears they shed over taxes last year would make the government reduce the tax burden in 2024, ” he said in a statement in early June
Opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka said weekly protests would resume if the funding bill is passed as proposed.
Lawmakers will debate the bill starting Wednesday, with a vote scheduled for Monday.
Last year’s Finance Bill introduced a 1.5% housing tax on gross income for workers, despite concerns that this would further burden Kenyans already struggling with the high cost of living. The law also doubled the VAT on petroleum products from 8% to 16%.
