More than 200 arrested in Kenya protests over proposed tax hikes in finance bill

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — More than 200 protesters have been arrested in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, in ongoing protests against proposed tax hikes in a finance bill that is due to be tabled in parliament.

Civil society groups said that demonstrations and a planned sit-down outside parliament buildings will continue despite the arrest of 210 protesters.

Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei on Tuesday said that no group had been granted permission to protest in the capital. The right to peaceful protests is guaranteed in the Kenyan Constitution, but organisers are required to notify the police beforehand. Police generally give a go-ahead unless there are security concerns.

Police hurled tear gas canisters at hundreds of demonstrators on Tuesday, forcing businesses to temporarily close because of fears over looting.

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

"I'm requesting the police not to arrest or beat us, because we are fighting for their rights as well," he said.

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

The chairperson of the finance committee, Kuria Kimani, said the proposal to introduce a 16 per cent value-added tax on bread had been dropped.

Other levies that had prompted debate and have been amended include a proposed 2.5 per cent motor vehicle annual tax that was to be placed on insurance.

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

Rights group Amnesty Kenya said that its staff members observing the protests were arrested.

"We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters and observers," the group said.

Kenya Law Society President Faith Odhiambo said that police used tear gas on lawyers at a Nairobi police station as they sought to see their clients.

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

"The whole principal is that you must live within your means," he said. "I persuaded and I made a case to the people of Kenya that we must begin to enhance our revenue."

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

"It is worse than the one of 2023, an investment killer and a huge millstone around the necks of millions of poor Kenyans who must have hoped that the tears they shed over taxes last year would see the government lessen the tax burden in 2024," he said in a statement in early June.

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

Legislators are due to debate the bill starting Wednesday with a vote scheduled for Monday.

Last year's finance law introduced a 1.5 per cent housing tax on gross income for salaried individuals, despite concerns that it would further burden Kenyans already struggling under a high cost of living. The law also doubled VAT on petroleum products from 8 per cent to 16 per cent.

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