A nationwide protest against a controversial new finance bill turned deadly on Thursday when a 29-year-old man was shot and killed in the capital city of Nairobi. Rex Kanyike Masai, an unarmed protester, died from gunshot wounds sustained during a confrontation with police near the parliament building.
The “Occupy Parliament” protests, led by a group of mainly youthful demonstrators, began on Tuesday in response to the government’s proposed tax measures. Despite the government’s decision to withdraw some of the most contentious provisions, including a 16% tax on bread and an annual 2.5% tax on vehicles, the protesters remained resolute in their demands for the bill’s complete rejection.
Eyewitnesses described the scene as chaotic, with police firing tear gas and water cannon at the largely peaceful protesters. Masai’s mother, Gillian Munyao, told local media that her son was simply trying to evade the tear gas when he was shot. He was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital, where officials reported that he had bled to death from a gunshot wound to the thigh.
The incident has sparked widespread outrage and mourning, with many taking to social media to demand justice for Masai and an end to police brutality. Protest organizers have vowed to continue their fight, with plans to print posters featuring Masai’s image and name, and to cover the costs of his burial.
The government’s proposed tax measures have been widely criticized for their potential to stifle economic growth and lead to job losses. Since taking office, President William Ruto has introduced several new and unpopular taxes, which have sparked growing discontent among the population.
As the protests continue, tensions remain high, with 39 people injured and eight in critical condition. The Law Society of Kenya has condemned the police’s actions as “brutality” and called for an end to the “illegal” arrest of protesters. The government has defended its tax measures as necessary to reduce the country’s national debt, but the protesters remain resolute in their demands for a more equitable solution.
