Latest news with #antiTaxDemonstrations
Arab News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
16 dead, thousands of businesses destroyed after Kenya protests
NAIROBI: At least 16 people died in protests across Kenya on Wednesday, Amnesty International said Thursday, as businesses and residents were left to clean up the devastation in the capital and beyond. The marches had been called to mark one year since anti-tax demonstrations that peaked when a huge crowd stormed parliament and dozens were killed by security forces. The anniversary marches began peacefully Wednesday but descended into chaos as young men held running battles with police, lit fires, and ripped up pavements to use as projectiles. 'What unfolded yesterday was not a protest. It was terrorism disguised as dissent,' Kipchumba Murkomen, interior cabinet secretary, said in a televised speech. 'We condemn the criminal anarchists who in the name of peaceful demonstrations unleashed a wave of violence, looting, sexual assault and destruction upon our people,' he added. In Nairobi's business district, the epicenter of the unrest, AFP journalists found entire shopping centers and thousands of businesses destroyed, many still smoldering. At least two banks had been broken into, while businesses ranging from supermarkets to small electronics and clothing stores were reduced to ashes or ransacked by looters. 'When we came we found the whole premise burnt down,' said Raphael Omondi, 36, owner of a print shop, adding that he had lost machines worth $150,000. 'There were guys stealing, and after stealing they set the whole premises on fire... If this is what protest is, it is not worth it.' 'They looted everything... I do not know where to start,' said Maureen Chepkemoi, 32, owner of a perfume store. 'To protest is not bad but why are you coming to protest inside my shop? It is wicked,' she added. Several business owners told AFP that looting had started in the afternoon after the government ordered TV and radio stations to stop broadcasting live images of the protests. Amnesty International's Kenya director Irungu Houghton said the death toll had risen to 16. Rights group Vocal Africa, which was documenting the deaths and helping affected families at a Nairobi morgue, said at least four bodies had been brought there so far. 'All of them had signs of gunshots, so we suspect they all died of gunshot wounds,' its head Hussein Khalid told AFP. 'We condemn this excessive use of force,' he said. 'We believe that the police could have handled themselves with restraint.' 'You come out to protest police killings, and they kill even more.' A coalition of rights groups had earlier said at least 400 people were wounded, with 83 in serious condition in hospital. It recorded protests in 23 counties around Kenya. Emergency responders reported multiple gunshot wounds, and there were unconfirmed local media reports that police had opened fire on protesters, particularly in towns outside the capital. There is deep resentment against President William Ruto, who came to power in 2022 promising rapid economic progress. Many are disillusioned by continued economic stagnation, corruption and high taxes, as well as police brutality after a teacher was killed in custody earlier this month.
BBC News
25-06-2025
- Business
- BBC News
World Business Report Anti-tax anger grows in Kenya
At least two people have been shot dead during protests in Kenya, which marks the first anniversary of deadly anti-tax demonstrations that left 60 people dead. Security forces have barricaded key roads in Nairobi and fired tear gas. Keen to avoid a repeat storming of parliament, President William Ruto has appealed to protesters not to threaten peace and stability. NATO allies agree to boost their military spending off the back of pressure from US President Donald Trump, but is Europe's defence industry ready for wartime demand? And what happens when E-sport stars call it quits? We look at life after the leaderboard in a billion-dollar industry. The latest business and finance news from around the world, on the BBC.
Washington Post
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Kenya's parliament and president's office barricaded ahead of anniversary protests
NAIROBI, Kenya — Parliament and the president's office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, were barricaded Wednesday ahead of protests planned for the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations in which 60 people were killed and 20 others remain missing. There was a heavy police presence and the roads leading to Parliament were barricaded with razor wire, as was President William Ruto's statehouse office.
Associated Press
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Kenya's parliament and president's office barricaded ahead of anniversary protests
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Parliament and the president's office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, were barricaded Wednesday ahead of protests planned for the one-year anniversary of anti-tax demonstrations in which 60 people were killed and 20 others remain missing. There was a heavy police presence and the roads leading to Parliament were barricaded with razor wire, as was President William Ruto's statehouse office. During last year's protests, demonstrators stormed Parliament, burning part of the building as lawmakers fled. Bodies lay in the streets, and medical workers and watchdogs said police had opened fire. The military was deployed. Kenyan youth remain unhappy with the current administration due to corruption, rising cost of living and police brutality, and the recent death of a blogger in custody. The close-range shooting of a civilian during recent protests has exacerbated public anger. Young Kenyans used social media to plan protests in remembrance of those who died last year. The government spokesperson, Isaac Mwaura, on Monday said there would be no protests, and that Wednesday was a 'normal working day.' But businesses in Nairobi on Wednesday remained closed and police limited the movement of vehicles into the central business district. Hundreds of Kenyans were already on the streets early in the morning, chanting anti-government slogans as police hurled tear gas cannisters at some of the crowds. Wangechi Kahuria, the executive director for the Independent Medico-Legal Unit, an NGO that tracked the killings during protests, said that Kenyans should be 'allowed to mourn and go back home.' Police Inspector General Douglas Kanja on Tuesday said no unauthorized persons would be allowed inside protected zones such as Parliament and the statehouse. Local media on Wednesday published the names and photos of some of those who died during last year's protests. The headline in a major newspaper, The Standard, read 'A luta Continua,' which means 'The struggle continues' in Portuguese and was the slogan of rebels during Mozambique's struggle for independence from colonial rule. Political analyst Herman Manyora called the protesters 'heroes' who paid the ultimate price and should be remembered. 'The authorities should work with the demonstrators to ensure a good commemoration,' he said. Manyora, however, warned that the protesters remain unhappy with the authorities because the 'government has been intransigent and has hardened the resolve of the young people to keep fighting.' During last year's protests, President Ruto dissolved the Cabinet that had been accused of incompetence and corruption but maintained most of his previous ministers in his new Cabinet despite concerns. A finance bill proposing high taxes that had been passed by Parliament was withdrawn, but later in the year, more taxes were introduced through legislative amendments. President Ruto appointed opposition party members to the Cabinet last year and in March he signed a political pact with his election rival, opposition leader Raila Odinga.
