Kenya’s President Regards Protest Over Tax Hikes as “Treasonous”

Picture courtesy: ( NDTV & AFP) Protesters in Kenya raging for tax hikes and increases on Tuesday .

(The Post News)- In a sharp escalation of tensions in Kenya, William Ruto has labelled the ongoing protests as “treasonous” following clashes between police forces and demonstrators that ended in the use of firearms.

At least five people were shot dead and 31 were injured while protesting a controversial finance bill that caused the extensive demonstrations.

The country is on the verge of nationwide protests against tax hikes, resulting in a total shutdown on Tuesday throughout the country’s big city that escalated to violence as police used teargas and gunshots on protestors.

The finance bill has led to seven days of rage and unrest as the government planned a 16% value-added tax on bread, vegetable oil, mobile money transfers, and vehicles.

The Kenyan government says that tax hikes and increases are needed to sort out the massive debt of the country, amounting to 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), which is roughly equal to 70 per cent of Kenya’s gross domestic product (GDP).

Kenya is among East Africa’s active economies, and a population of 52 million people live in poverty.

Reporters from Nairobi spotted two bodies lying down with no movement as the Kenyan parliament was breached.

Police were also seen arresting and whipping paramedics who were assisting the injured protestors.

The Kenyan leader, Ruto, stated that the actions that took place on Tuesday were a threat to national security and that talks about the bill had been hijacked by “dangerous people.”

A briefing from President Ruto stated that his government will take a tough route against violence and anarchy, calling some demonstrators criminals.

“It is not in order or even conceivable that criminals pretending to be peaceful protestors can reign terror against their people,” Ruto expressed.

The rage underlines deep-seated political divisions and socioeconomic protests in Kenya, a country that has been seen as a stable economic powerhouse.

With the increase in tensions, the coming days are most likely to be critical in defining the course of the country’s political landscape and its obedience to democratic values.