Protests in Kenya’s capital and other regions continued on Tuesday against a proposed finance bill that would raise the cost of living. This unrest persists even after President William Ruto announced he would not sign the bill following last week’s storming of parliament.
In Nairobi, police deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators as many businesses shuttered, fearing looting. Protesters blocked the main highway to Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city, with bonfires.
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Amid fears that President Ruto might still sign the bill before next week’s deadline, some protesters are also demanding his resignation, accusing him of mismanagement. However, youth protest organizers like Hanifa Farsafi have raised concerns over increasing violence, noting that “goons have infiltrated” the demonstrations.
Last week’s protests, which saw deadly police action, have resulted in 39 deaths according to the Kenya National Human Rights Commission, though President Ruto claims the number is 19.
The president has offered to engage in dialogue with the youth and promised budget cuts for his office to address some protestors’ concerns. Nevertheless, the leaderless protest movement remains skeptical of Ruto’s commitment to austerity measures. The opposition party has demanded that the government take responsibility for the recent deaths.
Economist Ken Gichinga suggests that the government should explore alternative tax reform approaches to support economic growth, particularly as high unemployment rates and rising costs impact young Kenyans the most.
