Five die in Kenyan tax protests

For more than one week, Kenyan youths have stood against hikes in taxes that could see them paying a 16% sales tax on bread and a 25% duty on cooking oil.

There was also a planned increase in the tax on financial transactions and a new annual tax on vehicle ownership amounting to 2.5% of the vehicle’s value, among others.

Youths set ablaze Kenyan parliament as Police used live bullets, killing at least five protesters on Tuesday.

Kenyan President William Ruto said criminals had taken over the protest. “It is not in order, or even conceivable, that criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people, their elected representatives, and the institutions established under our constitution and expect to go scot-free.”

He had earlier said that the government is ready to discuss with the youths and come to a compromise.