Kenya - June 2024

Dozens of Kenyans were killed and hundreds more injured as security forces cracked down on anti-Finance Bill protests. The legislation  proposed tax increases on essential goods and services, prompting nationwide demonstrations and violent clashes between protesters and the police. The protests differed from previous party-led events in that they were larger and organized by young people.    While the protests were largely peaceful, on 25 June, protesters broke into and set fire to the national parliament after police officers opened fire on the crowds who has massed around the building. The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that at least 50 people were killed in relation to the protests, with several hundreds injured. Dozens of people have been reported missing and hundreds have been arbitrarily arrested. Rights groups have described the police’s use of live ammunition and tear gas as excessive.  On 26 June, President Ruto said that he would withdraw the 2024 Finance Bill.

Sources: The Economist, Nation, Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, Human Rights Watch, OHCHR, The Africa Report, IPAEA, The Wall Street Journal