At least Nine protesters died this Wednesday as part of protests in Kenya. against the increase in fuel taxes at the call of the opposition leader Raila Odinga. The Citizen Digital portal reported that one of the dead was a man shot by agents for burning the national flagpole, but the fire was later extinguished.
Hundreds of residents set up barricades to block traffic in the area in the middle of a series. Odinga-invoked mobilizations before the rise in the cost of livingIt deepened with the economic crisis after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Protesters threw stones at police officers in the clashes, which left at least ten people injured on one side and the other. In addition, protesters destroyed property and facilities and looted shops.
The protests paralyzed activities in many parts of the country, including the closure of shops, and caused security forces to fire tear gas at various points, including the Nairobi area, where a high-level political event was scheduled to take place. opposition coalition Azimio
Kiphumba Murkomen, Executive Secretary for Transport, condemned “acts of vandalism and destruction of public infrastructures” and urged the relevant authorities to investigate and arrest and punish those responsible. We cannot normalize such acts of violence, anarchy and vandalism committed under the pretext of exercising political rights.” Organizers must ensure that their supporters do not repeat such unlawful acts, or they will be personally liable for the losses suffered.”
Throughout the day, Odinga stressed that “the nationwide protests are a clear message to the[Kenyan President William]Ruto regime”. “The message is loud and clear: Kenyans are tired,” he said, adding that “no one will act until Ruto is willing to listen and respect the people of Kenya.”
Odinga himself was born at the end of June. call for civil disobedience campaign Before Parliament’s decision to raise fuel taxes. “Let’s start the tax boycotts,” argued the former prime minister, denying Ruto’s victory in the 2022 election.