Kenya rocked by fresh protests despite Ruto’s U-turn over tax bill

KENYA – Police in Kenya fired tear gas on protesters as a fresh wave of demonstrations swept the country, despite President William Ruto’s U-turning on controversial tax plans.

Police officers reportedly detained a man during a demonstration over police killings of people protesting against Kenya’s finance bill, in Nairobi, Kenya, on Thursday.

A CNN report indicated that fresh protests dubbed “One Million People March” began Thursday, with demonstrators calling for roads leading to the capital Nairobi to be blocked.

Others threatened to occupy the State House, the president’s office and the official residence.

In a surprise move on Wednesday, Ruto said he would not sign the finance bill, saying he had been “listening keenly” to the Kenyan people.

Read more: ‘I concede,’ Kenya president, Ruto, backs down on tax hikes after more than 23 die from protests

He had been facing escalating protests over the bill, with a civil society organization saying at least 23 people had died in clashes.

But so far, his move had failed to quell the demonstrations.

Security forces had set up roadblocks around routes leading to the State House while other parts of the capital city had been fortified with heavy police presence.

“It is more than about the finance bill now. (They’re) killing us as young people for what? We come in peace,” Maria, a Kenyan protestor from Nairobi told CNN.

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