Monday, November 25, 2024
HomeWorldKenya demonstrations: At least 12 injured as police clash with cost-of-living protesters...

Kenya demonstrations: At least 12 injured as police clash with cost-of-living protesters | World News


At least 12 protesters in Kenya have been injured after police opened fire on people demonstrating against the rising cost of living.

Four of the protesters were injured in the Mathare area of Nairobi on Wednesday, according to an officer who wished to remain anonymous.

The Associated Press news agency said its reporters saw one man shot in the shoulder and another shot in the leg in the slum district. Health workers say police were using live bullets.

The nationwide protests have been called for by the opposition against a finance law imposing new taxes introduced by Kenyan President William Ruto.

VAT on petroleum products has been doubled to 16%, raising the cost of fuel to a new high.

Protestors hurl stones and burn objects in Kibera slum during an anti-government protest against the imposition of tax hikes by the government in Nairobi, Kenya July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi

Alvin Sikuku, a health worker in Kangemi, another Nairobi area, told the AP that two young men had been brought into a clinic after being shot.

“Police are using live bullets,” he said.

One man was shot in the back and severely wounded, and the other was shot in the leg.

A hospital official in the city of Nakuru, James Waweru, said four people came in with gunshot wounds, two of them shot in the abdomen, one in the chest and another one in the leg.

A fifth person had been cut and wounded, he said.

Riot police officers walk, as supporters of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance participate in an anti-government protest against the imposition of tax hikes by the government in Nairobi, Kenya July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Thomas Mukoya

Businesses in Nairobi remained closed as police used tear gas and water cannons to disperse protesters responding to calls for three days of demonstrations.

Protests were reported in the capital as well as western counties of Kisumu, Migori and Kisii where the opposition enjoys huge support. Schools were closed Nairobi and the country’s second-largest city, Mombasa, on the orders of the education minister.

At least 15 people have been killed, at least six last week and hundreds arrested as two rounds of protests earlier this month when police fired tear gas, and in some cases live rounds, at the crowds.

Read more:
At least 400 dead in ‘starvation cult’
Six lions speared to death by farmers angry at loss of livestock

Religious leaders have been calling for talks between the government and the opposition and on Wednesday, Catholic bishops issued a statement urging that “no further blood should be shed” and calling on Mr Ruto to repeal the act.

Supporters of Kenya's opposition leader Raila Odinga of the Azimio La Umoja (Declaration of Unity) One Kenya Alliance hurl stones as they confront with police during an anti-government protest against the imposition of tax hikes by the government in Nairobi, Kenya July 19, 2023. REUTERS/Monicah Mwangi

The president, who promised no protests would take place, was elected last August pledging to champion the interests of the poor, but the price of basic commodities has ballooned under his administration.

Human Rights Watch has urged political leaders to respect the right to peaceful protests, as guaranteed by the Kenyan constitution, and demanded police stop using force and live bullets to confront protesters.



This story originally appeared on Skynews

RELATED ARTICLES
- Advertisment -

Most Popular

Recent Comments