Kenya’s government halted schools in the capital and two other locations on Wednesday, as East Africa’s economic powerhouse readied for three days of protests against rising living costs and tax rises. Earlier this month, two rounds of protests devolved into violence as police shot tear gas canisters, and in some cases live ammunition, into the crowds. At least 15 people have been killed, and hundreds have been detained. According to local media accounts, three pupils were brought to a hospital in Kangemi, on the outskirts of Nairobi, after police deployed tear gas to disperse demonstrators on their school grounds.
Kenya’s opposition called for the rallies in part because of tax increases enacted last month by President William Ruto’s government, which was elected last August on promises to champion the interests of the poor but has seen the price of essential necessities skyrocket under his rule. The government claims that the gasoline and housing charges, which are estimated to earn an additional 200 billion shillings ($1.4 billion) each year, are necessary to assist deal with rising debt obligations and finance job-creation measures. Ruto, who has stated that he will not let the demonstrations to take place, inherited a massive government debt. It was 1.79 trillion shillings ($13 billion) when his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, began office in 2013. It had grown to 8.7 trillion shillings ($61 billion) by the time Kenyatta left office. Ruto abolished fuel subsidies in September, causing a jump in the pricing of essential goods such as bread and maize flour, which are directly influenced by the cost of energy and transportation. In the meanwhile, religions and human rights organizations have urged Ruto and veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga to resolve their disagreements via negotiation and end the demonstrations. “It is not too late for Azmio to call a halt to the planned protests and restart talks in the best interests of the country,” National Council of NGOs Chairman Stephen Kipchumba Cheboi said in a statement on Tuesday.
The president has accused his opponent of seeking to utilize economic dissatisfaction to achieve personal political aims. “I want to tell Raila Odinga that the elections ended on August 8 last year,” Ruto remarked. “You cannot seek our country’s leadership through bloodshed, deaths, and property destruction.” There is no way you can alter Kenya by taking the path you have.” Odinga has failed to win the last five presidential elections, but has previously won important posts in government by striking compromises with people in power in the aftermath of turmoil. “We recognize the daily hardships that many Kenyans face and urge all parties to address their concerns through meaningful dialogue,” a group of 12 foreign embassies said in a joint statement on Tuesday.
