Dozens arrested during Kenyan protest against tax hikes proposed in finance bill

NAIROBI, Kenya — Dozens of protesters have been arrested in Kenya's capital Nairobi as part of ongoing demonstrations against tax hikes proposed in a finance bill due to be tabled in Parliament.

Civil society groups say that despite the arrests, protests and the planned rally in front of the Parliament buildings will continue.

Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei said on Tuesday that no groups had received permission to protest in the capital. The right to peaceful protest is guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution, but organizers are required to notify the police in advance. The police generally give the green light unless there are security concerns.

Police fired tear gas canisters at hundreds of protesters on Tuesday, forcing businesses to temporarily close for fear of looting.

A lawyer, Wanjohi Gachie, said he was protesting on behalf of all Kenyans who would potentially be hit by the tax hikes.

“I ask the police not to arrest or beat us, because we are also fighting for their rights,” he said.

Some major tax proposals in the bill were dropped after a meeting on Tuesday morning between ruling party MPs and President William Ruto.

Finance Committee Chairman Kuria Kimani said the proposal to introduce 16% VAT on bread had been abandoned.

Other levies that sparked debate and were amended include a proposed 2.5% annual motor vehicle tax that was to be imposed on insurance.

A proposed tax on products that degrade the environment will also be changed to apply only to imported products to encourage local manufacturing.

Ruto last month defended the proposed taxes, saying the country must be financially self-sufficient.

“The principle is you have to live within your means,” he said.

“I have persuaded and made the case to the Kenyan people that we need to start increasing our income,” Ruto added.

Opposition leader Raila Odinga urged MPs to review the bill and vote to remove clauses that would burden the poor.

“This is worse than 2023, an investment killer and a huge ball around the necks of millions of poor Kenyans who had to hope that the tears they shed over taxes last year would allow the government to reduce the tax burden in 2024,” he declared in a press release at the beginning of June

Opposition figure Kalonzo Musyoka said weekly protests would resume if the finance bill was approved as proposed.

Lawmakers are scheduled to debate the bill starting Wednesday, with a vote scheduled for Monday.

Last year's finance law introduced a council tax of 1.5% on employees' gross income, despite fears it would further burden Kenyans already struggling with high costs of living . The law also doubled the VAT on petroleum products, increasing it from 8% to 16%.