How the Kenyan Gen Z protests ushered in a new way of demanding accountability and transparency

How the Kenyan Gen Z protests ushered in a new way of demanding accountability and transparency

By Esther Musembi, via bird story agency A pink-coloured water canon is aimed at the protestors who are shouting ‘haki yetu, haki yetu’ (our right! our right!). Quickly dispersed by the high-pressure water and teargas, one group starts to sing the Kenya National anthem waving small Kenyan flags. The images are soon trending across most social media platforms and before the day is out, make headlines […]

July 25, 2024 37

Africa

Kenyans Gather for Concert in Nairobi to Honor Protest Victims

Hundreds of Kenyans attended a concert in the nation's capital, Nairobi, on Sunday, chanting slogans and dancing to remember more than three dozen people killed in recent anti-government protests according to a report by Reuters. The demonstrations, which began on June 18, sought to halt planned tax hikes and call for President William Ruto's resignation. Activist Boniface Mwangi, present at the event, expressed mixed emotions adding that the government is […]

July 8, 2024 19

Africa

The IMF is failing countries like Kenya: why, and what can be done about it

By Danny Bradlow, University of Pretoria The recent Kenyan protests are a warning that the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is failing. The public does not think it is helping its member countries manage their economic and financial problems, which are being exacerbated by a rapidly changing global political economy. To be sure, the IMF is not the only cause of Kenya’s problems with raising […]

July 3, 2024 10

Africa

Unrest in Kenya Challenges IMF Targets and Borrowing Costs

Violent unrest that compelled Kenya's president to withdraw support for a finance bill has cast uncertainty over the country's ability to meet International Monetary Fund targets and could increase borrowing costs, according to investors and analysts. The bill, which proposed taxes on bread, vegetable oil, sugar, mobile-money transfers, and certain imports, aimed to generate US$2.68 billion, equivalent to 3% of GDP, in additional revenue, as noted by Morgan Stanley's, Neville […]

July 1, 2024 15

Africa

Kenyan police used teargas on dozens of protesters in Nairobi

Kenyan police used teargas on dozens of protesters in Nairobi and blocked roads to the presidential palace on Thursday as nationwide demonstrations continued, despite the president's decision to withdraw a tax hike bill. Reuters reports that protesters in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, and other cities called for President William Ruto to resign. However, the turnout was lower compared to the peak of the mass rallies triggered by the tax measures over […]

June 28, 2024 14

Africa

Demonstrators in Kenya prepare to resume protests

Protestors in Kenya are preparing to resume demonstrations despite President Ruto declining to sign the finance bill into law. They aim to 'occupy State House,' insisting only Ruto's resignation will satisfy them. Isabel Nakirya reports. Analysts said that while the finance bill initially triggered the protests, they have now expanded to reflect broad dissatisfaction with the government. Protesters in Nairobi told Al Jazeera they are demanding the president's resignation. […]

June 27, 2024 21

Uncategorized

Kenyan President Withdraws Tax Hikes Amid Protests

Kenyan President William Ruto withdrew planned tax hikes on Wednesday, succumbing to pressure from protesters who stormed parliament, launched nationwide demonstrations, and threatened further action this week, reports Reuters. This move is seen as a significant victory for the week-old, youth-led protest movement, which evolved from online condemnations of the tax increases into mass rallies demanding a political overhaul. This marks the most serious crisis of Ruto's two-year presidency.

June 27, 2024 15

Africa

Death toll rises in Kenya tax hike protests

Protesters in Kenya have been shot dead and fires started inside parliament after politicians voted in favour of a controversial tax bill. The Kenya Medical Association said at least 13 people had been killed and dozens more injured. Following reports that Namibians were near Kenya’s Parliament at the time of the incident, we spoke to the Executive Director of the Ministry of International Relations and Cooperation, Penda Naanda. Kenya is […]

June 26, 2024 37

Africa

Kenya protesters shot as they near parliament

Anti-tax protesters in the Kenyan capital Nairobi have pushed their way into the complex where the parliament sits. Local TV has been showing images of a police truck on fire nearby. There have been reports of people being wounded as police fired rounds to disperse the crowds. A human rights organisation said it had witnessed four protesters being shot, and said that one person had been killed. This has not […]

June 25, 2024 20