Scores of protesters have been arrested in Nairobi as they moved to oppose hiking of taxes in a finance bill hours before it was tabled in parliament.
The civil societies mobilised their members to the streets where they faced the policemen who arrested them. The protestors had planned to sit outside the parliament to demonstrate their opposition on the finance bill.
Many of the businesses remained closed as the traders feared looting and breaking into their premises.
Nairobi Police Commander Adamson Bungei had a rough time controlling the demonstrators before the police swag into action through the streets of the city dispersing the demonstrators. ” No group had been granted permission to protest in the capital city, the right to peaceful protests is guaranteed in Kenya’s constitution but organizers are required to notify the police beforehand,” said Bungei.
Wanjohi Gachie, a legal expert said he was protesting on behalf of all Kenyans who would be potentially burdened by the tax hikes. “I’m requesting the police not to arrest or beat us, because we are fighting for their rights as well. Kenyans are oppressed and something needs to be done to salvage the situation” he said.
The chairperson of the finance committee, Kuria Kimani, said the proposal to introduce a 16% VAT tax on bread had been dropped. Other levies that had prompted debate and have been amended include a proposed 2.5% motor vehicle annual tax that was to be placed on insurance.