DESPITE the killing of at least 13 persons in the anti-tax protests held in Kenya on Tuesday, June 25, protesters have demanded that a peaceful march be held on Thursday, June 27.
The march is to be held in memory of those killed on Tuesday, according to a post on X by Hanifa Adan, described in a report by Aljazeera as one of the organisers of the demonstration.
“All sovereign power belongs to the people of Kenya. You cannot kill all of us. Tomorrow, we march peacefully again as we wear white, for all our fallen people. You will not be forgotten!!!” Adan posted.
Protests began in Kenya about a week ago when citizens demanded President William Ruto’s resignation over a finance bill at the country’s Parliament, which the citizens believe will hike taxes and worsen the already harsh economic realities.
The police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse the protesters, but the demonstrations turned deadly on Tuesday after youths gained entrance into the Parliament.
A part of the Parliament was set ablaze while lawmakers were in the building. The protesters also outnumbered the police, forced their way into the premises and sent the lawmakers fleeing.
Following the development, the Kenyan police opened fire on the protesters.
The ICIR reported that five people had been killed, but the death toll has risen to 13 according to Kenya’s medical association.
Aljazeera also reported that hospital officials said 160 people were being treated for injuries sustained during the protest.
Apart from the country’s capital, Nairobi, other Kenyan cities and towns witnessed protests and clashes, with many citizens expressing objections to the tax increases.
Ruto reacted to the situation in a broadcast on Tuesday, describing the intrusion into Parliament as an act of treason and vowing to take action against the organisers and financiers of the protests.
“It is not in order, or even conceivable that criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people.
“I hereby put on notice the planners, financiers, orchestrators, and abettors of violence and anarchy that the security infrastructure established to protect our Republic and its sovereignty will be deployed to secure the country and restore order and normalcy, Ruto said.
Ijeoma Opara is a journalist with The ICIR. Reach her via [email protected] or @ije_le on Twitter.