Kenya has been rocked by widespread protests and civil unrest over the past week as people took to the streets to voice their opposition to a controversial finance bill. The bill, which proposes a series of tax hikes and new levies, has sparked public outrage, particularly among the country’s youth, who have been at the forefront of the protests.
The protests began on June 18, with hundreds of people gathering in various cities across Kenya to express their discontent with the proposed bill. The protests quickly turned violent, with police using tear gas, water cannons and rubber bullets to disperse the crowds. At least one person was killed and hundreds injured in the ensuing chaos.
The situation escalated on 20 June when protesters stormed the Kenyan Parliament, forcing lawmakers to flee the building. The army was then deployed to quell the unrest, and President William Ruto vowed to prevent any further violence.By all means“ .
Protests continued throughout the week, with protesters calling for the finance bill to be withdrawn and President Ruto to resign. The government responded by arresting dozens of protesters and cracking down on social media, leading to accusations of censorship and suppression of free speech.
The international community has expressed concern over the situation in Kenya. Several countries have issued statements condemning the excessive use of force by the police and calling for a peaceful resolution to the crisis. The African Union has also stepped in, calling on all parties to de-escalate and engage in dialogue.
As the country remains in a state of tension, it remains to be seen whether the government will withdraw the controversial finance bill or whether protests will continue to escalate. One thing is certain, however: the events of the past week have shaken Kenya to its core and highlighted the country’s deep divisions.
