On Friday, mourners gathered at a Nairobi mosque for the funeral of 19-year-old Ibrahim Kamau, who was fatally shot during Tuesday’s protest against a controversial tax bill. Following the service, attendees carried Kamau’s coffin through the streets in a somber procession.
The protest, which erupted into chaos when demonstrators stormed parliament, led to a violent response from police, resulting in multiple fatalities, with reports suggesting up to 22 people were killed.
Despite President William Ruto’s decision to withdraw the unpopular tax bill and pledge to seek budget cuts as an alternative, unrest continued. On Thursday, police used tear gas to disperse crowds of anti-tax protesters in Kenya’s capital.
The proposed finance legislation, which included new taxes on various goods and services, has faced strong opposition from citizens already struggling with rising living costs, particularly among the youth. Protesters expressed ongoing distrust in the president’s promises, indicating the unrest may not yet be over.
