A 29-year-old man died during protests against proposed tax hikes in Kenya’s capital city, Nairobi, with police launching an investigation into allegations that he was shot by officers.
The man’s death occurred on Thursday, the second day of nationwide demonstrations led by young Kenyans who are dissatisfied with President William Ruto’s economic policies. The protests have been fueled by a cost-of-living crisis, with many people already struggling to make ends meet.
Despite the protests being largely peaceful, police fired tear gas and water cannons throughout the day in an attempt to disperse the crowds. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) said it had “documented the death” of the 29-year-old man, allegedly as a result of police shooting.
According to eyewitness accounts, the man was shot in the thigh while trying to flee from police in the central business district of Nairobi. A spokesman for Amnesty International Kenya called for an investigation into the incident, saying that the shooter was a plainclothes officer who was accompanying police.
The Kenyan Red Cross reported that at least 200 people were injured during the protests, with eight in critical condition.
The protests began on Tuesday and spread nationwide, with thousands gathering in cities including Mombasa, Nakuru, and Eldoret.
The demonstrations were sparked by widespread discontent over President Ruto’s proposed tax hikes, which are intended to raise revenue and reduce reliance on external borrowing.
However, critics argue that the taxes will make life more expensive for Kenyans, who are already struggling with high inflation. Kenya is one of the most dynamic economies in East Africa, but a third of its 51.5 million people live in poverty.
The government has agreed to roll back some of the proposed tax hikes, but still plans to increase fuel prices and export taxes to fill the void left by the changes.
