Why are Kenyans protesting?

 

Kenya is in the grips of nationwide protests against some proposed draconian taxes, culminating in Tuesday's total shutdown of the country, which swiftly turned into anarchy as police used tear gas and live rounds on protesters.

Though, this was supposed to be one of the peaceful processions the country has ever witnessed, things got escalated, which resulted in the death of some people, whilst several of them also sustained severe injuries.

According to the head of the Kenya Medical Association, 13 people have  calamitously lost their lives.

WHY ARE THE PEOPLE PROTESTING?

The people are protesting against some nuisance taxes. They want the government to abandon or halt these  proposed or planned taxes, which they argue will choke the economy and raise the cost of living for Kenyans who are already reeling under the current economic hardship that has bedeviled the country.

WHICH TAXES DO THE PEOPLE WANT THE GOVERNMENT TO ABANDON?

1. Initial tax imposition on bread, cooking oil and others.

2. Proposal to implement a 16% sales tax on bread.

3. Imposition of a 25% duty on cooking oil.

4. 16% tax on goods and services used  exclusively for constructing and equipping specialized hospitals  with at least 50 beds.

5. Increase of import taxes from 2.5% to 3% of the item's value, payable by importers at the port. 

These nuisance taxes and high cost of living are what have sparked off the nationwide protests in the country. According to the protesters, the government has been adamant and unyielding to have these stringent taxes  abandoned, hence, their decision to storm Parliament.

Source:Aljazeera.