A tragic incident occurred on Thursday during a mass demonstration against proposed tax hikes in Nairobi, the capital city of Kenya.
A 29-year-old man lost his life, and police are currently investigating allegations that he was shot by officers.
The protests, which began on Tuesday, have been fueled by widespread discontent over President William Ruto’s economic policies and the cost-of-living crisis affecting many Kenyans.
Despite being largely peaceful, the demonstrations have been met with a heavy-handed response from law enforcement, who fired tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowds.
According to eyewitnesses, the deceased man was shot in the thigh while attempting to flee from police in the central business district of Nairobi.
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority (IPOA) has launched an investigation into the incident, which has been described as “fatal” by authorities.
Amnesty International Kenya has called for an investigation into the shooting, which they believe was carried out by a plainclothes officer who was accompanying police.
The Kenyan Red Cross has reported that at least 200 people were injured during the protests, with eight in critical condition.
The protests have 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 exacerbate the cost-of-living crisis and make life more expensive for Kenyans. Kenya is one of the most dynamic economies in East Africa, but a third of its 51.5 million people live in poverty.
In response to public pressure, the government has agreed to roll back some of the proposed tax hikes.
However, it still intends to increase fuel prices and export taxes to fill the void left by the changes.
The government has warned that the fiscal adjustments are necessary to ensure a balanced budget and reduce its reliance on external borrowing.
