Kenya Protests Over Tax Hikes Leave at Least 30 Dead, Says Human Rights Watch

Kenya is reeling from a week of deadly protests sparked by a government drive to substantially raise taxes, with at least 30 people killed and hundreds injured, according to Human Rights Watch. The protests, which began peacefully, turned violent on Tuesday when lawmakers passed the deeply unpopular tax increases, prompting widespread outrage and clashes with security forces.

The protests were sparked by the government's decision to raise taxes to service Kenya's massive debt of some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion), equal to roughly 70 percent of GDP. The Washington-based IMF has urged the country to implement fiscal reforms in order to access crucial funding from the international lender. However, the move has been met with fierce resistance from Kenyans, who argue that the tax increases will disproportionately affect the poor and vulnerable.

According to Human Rights Watch, Kenyan security forces shot directly into crowds of protesters on Tuesday, including those who were fleeing. "Shooting directly into crowds without justification, including as protesters try to flee, is completely unacceptable under Kenyan and international law," said Otsieno Namwaya, associate Africa director at Human Rights Watch.

The largely peaceful rallies turned violent when lawmakers passed the tax increases, prompting crowds to storm the parliament complex and a fire to break out in clashes unprecedented in the history of the country since its independence from Britain in 1963. President William Ruto's administration ultimately withdrew the bill, but not before the damage had been done.

Why it Matters : The violence in Kenya is a stark reminder of the need for governments to prioritize human rights and the rule of law, even in the face of economic pressure. The IMF's push for fiscal reforms may be well-intentioned, but it cannot come at the cost of human life and dignity. As Namwaya noted, "Economic sustainability can only be achieved by building a new social contract that raises revenues fairly, manages them responsibly, and funds services and programs that protect everyone's rights."

The Kenyan government must take immediate action to investigate the abuses committed by security forces and hold those responsible accountable. The international community must also continue to monitor the situation and urge the Kenyan authorities to respect the rights of its citizens.

In the aftermath of the violence, the state-funded Kenya National Commission on Human Rights said it had recorded 22 deaths and 300 injured victims, and would open an investigation. The rights watchdog has called on the Kenyan authorities to speedily and transparently investigate abuses by the security forces.

Key Takeaways:

• At least 30 people have been killed and hundreds injured in protests sparked by a government drive to raise taxes in Kenya.
• The protests were sparked by the government's decision to raise taxes to service Kenya's massive debt of some 10 trillion shillings ($78 billion).
• Human Rights Watch has accused Kenyan security forces of shooting directly into crowds of protesters, including those who were fleeing.
• The IMF has urged Kenya to implement fiscal reforms in order to access crucial funding from the international lender.
• The Kenyan government must take immediate action to investigate the abuses committed by security forces and hold those responsible accountable.