At least 30 people have died in Kenya following protests sparked by a government drive to substantially raise taxes, according to Human Rights Watch. Despite President William Ruto withdrawing the controversial tax reform bill, mass protests continue. The protests, largely driven by Gen Z, have been marked by violent clashes between demonstrators and police, with accusations of police brutality and abductions. Religious leaders and human rights groups have condemned the violence, calling for the release of detained protesters and an investigation into police actions. President Ruto has proposed the formation of a National Multi-Sectoral Forum to address youth concerns, but skepticism remains about its effectiveness. The protests have drawn comparisons to Egypt’s 2011 uprising and have highlighted broader discontent with economic policies and governance in Kenya. The influence of IMF pressure and the controversial military deployment have also been points of contention. Opposition leader Raila Odinga has condemned the police brutality and the court's decision to allow military deployment. Additionally, a parliament building was set on fire during the protests.
President Ruto: "you want to tell me, William Ruto, don't collect domestic taxes, go borrow more money?...What is the alternative? ...there are only two things you can do: either you raise money from taxes or you borrow, period" Is cutting expenses not an option? https://t.co/N8fcPSOubF
Kenya' Budget for FY 24/25 included a planned total borrowing of KES ~514B (Frame 1]. The President now says this borrowing will go up to KES 1T. Does this mean expenditure cuts of KES 346B promised last week to plug the gap left by the Finance Bill (Frame 2) has been abandoned? https://t.co/zcvelDYduH https://t.co/4Al5FbwuPu
President Ruto on the implications of rejecting the Finance Bill 2024: "We have dropped the Finance Bill. What does that mean? It means we have gone back almost 2 years, it means that this year we are going to borrow KES 1T to be able to run our government" https://t.co/7lqnYfcmI0
Kenyan President William Ruto defends military deployment to quell protests, resulting in 24 deaths over two weeks. "I mean, what choice did I have?...I have no blood on my hands" https://t.co/Iftli6YMgY
Kenyan President William Ruto defended his decision to deploy the military to quell nationwide protests over the past two weeks that left at least 24 people dead https://t.co/kx6Fnj6uvL
This week, protesters faced off with heavy-handed police in Kenya’s capital initially over a finance bill that would have imposed new levies on essential goods. Those protests escalated into anti-government protests after several demonstrators were killed. Sky’s @YousraElbagir… https://t.co/82BM9e9yeM
This week, protesters faced off with heavy-handed police in Kenya’s capital initially over a finance bill that would have imposed new levies on essential goods. Those protests escalated into anti-government protests after several demonstrators were killed. Sky’s… https://t.co/jPnmmrEDqP
This week, protesters faced off with heavy-handed police in Kenya’s capital over a finance bill that would have imposed new levies on essential goods. Sky’s @YousraElbagir was there as the deadly protests unfolded. https://t.co/usjxwz13zP https://t.co/9nm69T2cNs
Protesters faced off with heavy-handed police in Kenya’s capital over a finance bill that would have imposed new levies on essential goods. Sky's @YousraElbagir reports. https://t.co/usjxwz13zP https://t.co/Vv6fxJ7o3f
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐞𝐞𝐤'𝐬 𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐁𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐍𝐞𝐰𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬: 1. President Ruto was forced to back down on planned tax hikes in the Finance Bill 2024 on Wednesday this week, bowing to pressure after deadly nationwide protests. #MwangoMemes https://t.co/WZrkuE08NW
#Profile | Mass protests in Kenya against an IMF-backed finance Bill that sought to raise taxes on essentials bring into focus, once again, the conditions the multinational lender imposes on poor countries in return for loan assistance. @samzsays writes. https://t.co/9px9j1tCiU
Mass protests continued in Kenya even after President William Ruto withdrew a tax reform bill that ignited them. So why were Kenyans still protesting? https://t.co/Y8bHMSC9kN
Finance Bill demos: All Saints Cathedral demands IG Koome apologise for police shooting in church https://t.co/Lmwac2Opzm
Finance Bill protests: Why attention has shifted to IMF after rejection of new tax bill https://t.co/zwGeFO1jI1
Peter Kagwanja: In its response to the on-going youth revolt, Kenya risks running into the ‘Sudanese trap’ of deepening instability by militarizing politics. https://t.co/MIiEUAd1y6
Kenya’s President William Ruto has suggested creating a multi-sectoral group to facilitate dialog with the country’s youth following weeks of anti-government protests https://t.co/YyCfgX5OnV
Did They Have To Die? Kenyans gather in Nairobi for a memorial event in honour of those who died during Finance Bill protests; to walk to KNH to donate blood. #NTVatOne @zeynabIsmail @brayan_muchiri https://t.co/jX9vi3RQrh
VIDEO: Nigerians React As Kenyans Fought Government And Won https://t.co/FaN2nKjyGG
Defending Haji: COTU Boss Atwoli criticizes Gachagua over remarks on NIS Boss Atwoli wants Gachagua to help in uniting Kenyans Wajir South MP Adow also criticized Gachagua #CitizenWeekend @Wycliffeorandi https://t.co/nLROOW9GQk
Question: With the situation going on in the country, what action is the church supposed to take? #Bambika @timelessnoel1 @djggactivist https://t.co/RAt5TI6ldp
Kenyans in diaspora reject President Ruto’s plan to engage Gen Zs https://t.co/OhuZo8IIde https://t.co/kWhyu0gyCu
Using #Bambika, as a Gen Z what would you like to ask Pastor David? @timelessnoel1 @djggactivist https://t.co/GrKJgIXx88
Presiding Bishop of Citam, Calisto Odede, said as a church, the call by the youth protesters had pricked the conscience of the church to cleanse the pulpits of their churches from undue influence of politics and politicians. https://t.co/r0f1vrnpsx
CITAM Church President Bishop Calisto Odede commends Gen Z's civic engagement in the 2024 Finance Bill, condemns excessive police violence and urges thorough investigations. https://t.co/sWRS1gfmL1
Guests for the day: Pastor David Ewagata and Anne Wangari #Bambika @timelessnoel1 @djggactivist https://t.co/uLGMCfuHAd
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma now says President William Ruto erred when he ordered the National Treasury to prepare a mini-budget for the financial year starting in July after rejecting the controversial Finance Bill 2024. https://t.co/uAWulOmldt
Gachagua’s double-edged truth or dare political game https://t.co/eP49lDAZbd https://t.co/uqyrzRp6f3
As the outrage against the Finance Bill 2024 reached its crescendo with President William Ruto declining to assent to the draft law, attention quickly shifted to the role of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). https://t.co/zwGeFO1jI1
Someone gave @cobbo3 some reflections on the Gen Z protests in Kenya: "One of the lessons...from election outcomes and protests related to the cost of living throughout the world is that the polycrisis era has generated a fatigue amongst the population" https://t.co/LdiyMZIpMy https://t.co/hcqimGEQnn
Be patient with President Ruto on protests stakeholder engagement, Gachagua urges Kenyans https://t.co/vRX16y1qAs
Under siege: Citizens scrutinise Ruto allies and the church https://t.co/4AWKM7iruM https://t.co/uzYM81VjiB
How Kenya's protests exposed jet-setting Ruto's neglect of discontent at home https://t.co/A8aUHmv5lc
A self-proclaimed “truthful man”, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua appears to be holding a double-edged political sword he threatens to unleash on those opposed to him. https://t.co/tHpBSwQS2V
People power: How public protests are the beginning of Kenyans' push for new reform options https://t.co/z8z4tBKFJE https://t.co/9esc8Gmvyf
Finance Bill: Raila takes on Ruto over violent police response to protest, military use https://t.co/KieTCFIteP https://t.co/er5r6Cj2aG
People power: How nationwide public protests are the beginning of Kenyans' push for new reform options https://t.co/J4wLHIYBHR
Profile | Mass protests in Kenya against an IMF-backed finance Bill that sought to raise taxes on essentials bring into focus, once again, the conditions the multinational lender imposes on poor countries in return for loan assistance. @samzsays writes. https://t.co/xqJZzZoNea
Kenya is preparing to implement spending cuts after deadly protests forced President William Ruto to back down on plans to raise $2.3 billion in new taxes. https://t.co/Nj5Zu2UGoA
At least 30 people died in protests in Kenya this week sparked by a government drive to substantially raise taxes in the East African country, Human Rights Watch said on June 29. https://t.co/8ud04h9OcR
The government outlined the procedure for the formation of a 100-member National Steering Committee that will lead conversations with the Kenyan youth. https://t.co/BPAocdqPmh
Human rights groups on Saturday called for IPOA to investigate cases of police brutality during the anti-Finance Bill protests. https://t.co/iyk2v6Yshn
DP Gachagua tells off leaders threatening to impeach him https://t.co/PkNDzJivVc https://t.co/hRSDFr1a6C
Raila slams gov't over killings of protesters, denies presence of goons https://t.co/bZd061Mbj9
Col (RTD) Julius Minyori: KDF have the power and ability to arrest and detain civilians, the only power that has been taken away from them is investigating the matter #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/ySmSBvadA7
Dr Ochieng Kamudhayi – Security & Complicit Specialist: Deployment of the security agencies is not a solution to the current problem. The framers of this crisis are the ones exaggerating the situation #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/BtpAyj5mZF
Col (RTD) Julius Minyori on the situations where KDF can be deployed internally #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/nSSc2umRUj
Why young Kenyans are protesting against IMF https://t.co/ixGATp1xva
Kenyan protesters are attacking the homes of several Lawmakers, who supported the increase in taxes.
Thuku Mburu – Programme Officer, ICJ Kenya: Even if there were infiltrators in the protests, the police ought to have done their job according to the law #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/hzVDdUGysa
Thuku Mburu – Programme Officer, ICJ Kenya: Kenyans ought to interrogate the gazette notice issued by the CS. The protests do not warrant a state of emergency or the deployment of KDF #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/aeZR3BscZs
Gachagua Fights Back Deputy president Rigathi Gachagua has told off leaders threatening to impeach him. Gachagua said some leaders are working round the clock to chase him out of government, arguing they cannot replace him. #NTVWeekendEdition @MargaretKimath6 @jamessmat https://t.co/xjQxEKe3EZ
Video: Nigerians React As Kenyans Fought Government And Won https://t.co/Gine513dZv https://t.co/PxwKvEwk5j
Duale defends KDF deployment: Duale justifies decision to deploy military in 47 counties Duale: Deployment aims at maintaining peace and order Duale: I thank our youth for holding peaceful protests #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/pxVDzx6OUT
Victims of police brutality; Number of protesters killed by police continue rising Mombasa family discovers body of missing kin in morgue Ombati: I am demanding justice for my son Joash Body of 17-year-old Gredo Oyaro found at MTRH, Eldoret #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/RyKv6VzMfv
KDF Deployment Uproar Azimio la Umoja One Kenya Coalition leader Raila Odinga says the military presence in the streets is a sign of a failed civilian authority in the country even as Defense CS Aden Duale defends the move. #NTVWeekendEdition @vincentoduor254 @jamessmat https://t.co/KQGpsWezSe
Finance bill apology party: MPs who supported the finance bill apologise to Gen Z MPs stay away from public events to avoid attacks Kimaiyo: I apologise to Keiyo South people for voting yes DP Gachagua appeals to Gen Z to forgive the legislators #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/181VO4OvLp
Raila opposes KDF deployment: Azimio leader slams court for allowing KDF deployment Raila: KDF not supposed to be on the streets Raila: Civilian authority in this country has failed #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/oyI3v95Cym
Ruto announces dialogue plan: Ruto proposes formation of national multi-sectorial forum Ruto: Forum to iron out concerns raised by youth Each group to nominate 2 members to form nat’l steering CTTE Ruto: Those who burnt parliament, businesses were not Gen Z #CitizenWeekend… https://t.co/1uhkognwKW
The Collar On Trial President William Ruto has met the third congregation of Christian leaders at State House, Nairobi in his attempt to have them sway their flock towards dialogue. #NTVWeekendEdition @NBrygettes @jamessmat https://t.co/kTkRKMvYRj
In his address on the Finance Bill 2024, President Ruto announced significant reductions in operational expenditures, including cuts to the travel budget. My curiosity led me to examine the allocated figures for 2024/25, and the State House travel budget has stood out so far:…
SP: As the protests against the Finance Bill 2024 persist, it's crucial that we advance to the next phase by initiating comprehensive discussions on all the issues impacting the growth and progress of our country. #Tujadiliane https://t.co/tYIUjEXPah
Anti-Finance Bill demos diaspora edition: How Kenyans in Germany joined the anti-tax protest https://t.co/swPeZHbUiC
Ruto now calls youth to join 100-member team to sort their issues https://t.co/Eb6pbeGnQW https://t.co/C1ySKiHihN
President Ruto calls for nomination of representatives to the National Multi-Sectoral Forum to engage with stakeholders in addressing concerns raised by the youth https://t.co/3MbmsTKBAE
DP Gachagua refutes claims that MPs were offered Ksh 2M bribe to endorse Finance Bill 2024 https://t.co/aHz08tVjI5
ICYMI: At least 30 people have died in protests in #Kenya sparked by a government drive to substantially raise taxes in the East African country, the Human Rights Watch says. https://t.co/Ru9SRR5Nbt
Having not been instigated by any dominant political actor, Kenyans’ protests cannot be turned off by accommodating a member of the political elite, writes Michelle Gavin. https://t.co/de5qg6jaIu
#World360 | Kenya finance bill: Several killed, parliament building set on fire as citizens protest proposed tax hike Political Analyst @HManyora joins in with @akankshaswarups #Kenya #TaxBill #FinanceBill #Protests https://t.co/opwspSdS9d
Gen Zs are past the talking stage & want action like: —A stable tax regime —Fire the corrupt —STOP the abductions —Create a better environment for businesses —Create jobs in, not out of Kenya Do we really need another committee? Or is this just another per diem eating session? https://t.co/OV9zvJhk89 https://t.co/9ZVMIvqYig
In response to the Finance Bill protests, President Ruto has announced the formation of the National Multi-Sectoral Forum (NMSF) to address youth concerns: 🛠️ A 100-member National Steering Committee (NSC) will lead the NMSF. 🗳️ Each umbrella body to nominate two… https://t.co/AnCvMFCd2C
Dozens Killed in Protests as #Kenya Revolts Against #Tax Hikes, Calls for Presidential Resignation https://t.co/YVu9tIxGqi
Ruto hosts 96 AIPCA bishops for talks on 'opportunities for our young people' https://t.co/Q2t7QBAAR4
Ruto's Catch-22: Caught between Gen Zs, Gachagua's NIS demand and IMF pressure https://t.co/tx4ipxwEEN
Anti-Finance Bill protests: 20 human rights groups call on IPOA to arrest rogue cops https://t.co/fJipb0pc2L
“Remain firm, God is with us,” Azimio leader Raila Odinga condemns killings during protests. https://t.co/80AY6KjK7Q
Some have compared Kenya’s tax riots with Egypt’s uprising of 2011. The protests against William Ruto’s finance bill have the whiff of revolution https://t.co/30QlMAtyD1 👇
Death Toll Rises To 30 In Kenyan Government's Clampdown On Protesters | Sahara Reporters https://t.co/m7QpKeW10S https://t.co/KDxGh1Du6K
Clergy: Release abducted protesters Mombasa religious leaders demand release of protesters Baya: Release the protesters or produce them in court Leaders call for suspension of the protests countrywide #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/KA2fQ3vc02
Azimio Coalition leader Raila Odinga condemns police brutality during anti-government demos, calls on Kenyans to stand firm in quest to fight for their rights; faults court on military deployment https://t.co/AxsDMqZTpV
Anti-government protests Religious leaders and businessmen from the Somali community have asked young people not to be violent in the ongoing protests. #NTVAtOne @Karanja_Ibrah https://t.co/Hp6Kyurt9C
Njuki: Protests hijacked Governor Njuki urge Kenyans to embrace dialogue Njuki says goons have hijacked ongoing Gen Z protests #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/5YOCCh3YzS
Njuki: Protests hijacked Governor Njuki urge Kenyans to embrace dialogue Njuki says goons have hijacked ongoing Gen z protests #CitizenWeekend @OBurrows https://t.co/aSA5Gd78Im
What is the root cause of the protests in Kenya? President Ruto’s craven subservience to US imperialism, says @BookerBiro of the Communist Party of Kenya, speaking exclusively to red. media. Whether it’s implementing unpopular neoliberal economic policies or rolling out the red… https://t.co/DcQIp0wh3i
Mass protests continue in Kenya even after President William Ruto withdrew a tax reform bill which ignited them to begin with. So why are Kenyans still protesting? https://t.co/MksdCFiSCv
At least 30 people died in protests in Kenya this week sparked by a government drive to substantially raise taxes in the East African country, Human Rights Watch said Saturday. https://t.co/VUwAuWfp5w