At least four people were reportedly shot during the chaos, one fatally.
Minority opposition parties criticized the ruling party for pushing through unpopular measures without adequate consultation.
Protests come after at least two people died and hundreds were injured during last week's peaceful demonstrations.
The Finance Bill 2024 includes controversial clauses adding new taxes on a wide range of goods and services, digital platforms, food products, social security funds, financial services, motor vehicles and mobile money transfer fees.
Thousands protested proposed tax legislation in Kenya on 25th June, 2024.
Violence erupted at Parliament building as police fired tear gas and shots were heard.
Thousands of Kenyans took to the streets of Nairobi and other cities on Tuesday, 25th June, 2024, to protest proposed tax legislation that they believe will make life more burdensome for millions. The protests turned violent as police fired tear gas and shots were heard at Kenya's Parliament building where demonstrators had breached security lines. At least four people were reportedly shot during the chaos, one of them fatally, although this could not be independently confirmed.
The Finance Bill 2024, which was passed by MPs earlier in the day, includes controversial clauses that critics argue add punitive new taxes and raise others on a wide range of goods and services. Detractors have also pointed to corruption and mismanagement of funds in the administration of President William Ruto.
Protesters chanted 'Ruto must go' during the demonstrations, with some calling for MPs to reject proposed tax increases. The legislation seeks to impose taxes on digital platforms, food products, social security funds, financial services, motor vehicles and mobile money transfer fees. Minority opposition parties have criticized the ruling party for pushing through unpopular measures without adequate consultation.
The protests come after at least two people died and hundreds were injured during last week's demonstrations which were largely peaceful. The government has promised to hold talks to address the concerns of young Kenyans who are leading the protests.
MPs passed a controversial finance bill that introduced unpopular taxes.
Youth-led protesters called on MPs to reject proposed tax increases.
Accuracy
At least four protesters were shot, one person may have been killed but this has not been confirmed.
At least 10 demonstrators were reportedly shot dead during the protests.
One person named Rex Kanyike Masai died during last week’s protests from a gunshot wound.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The article contains inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. It also presents a dichotomous depiction of the situation in Kenya. No formal fallacies were found.
. . . there have been reports of people being wounded as police fired rounds to disperse the crowds.
A human rights organisation said it has witnessed four protesters being shot, and said that one person had been been killed. This has not been confirmed.
The government, which has rowed back on some of the most controversial measures, says new taxes are needed to fund spending programmes and lessen the debt burden.
Kenyans protested proposed tax legislation in Nairobi and other cities on Tuesday.
Parliament building was set on fire during the protests.
One person named Rex Kanyike Masai died during last week’s protests from a gunshot wound.
Controversial clauses in the Finance Bill included proposed taxes on digital platforms, food products, social security funds, financial services, motor vehicles and mobile money transfer fees.
Accuracy
At least one person was killed and over 200 others were injured in last week’s protests.
Police used tear gas and shots during the protests.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(85%)
The author uses inflammatory rhetoric by stating 'police beat and fired tear gas at Kenyans' and 'hundreds of protesters were fired upon, beaten and injured by police'. This is an appeal to emotion. The author also states 'At least one person, Rex Kanyike Masai, 29, died of a gunshot wound during last week’s protests.' This statement is not a fallacy but it sets the tone for the article and creates an emotional response from the reader. The author also uses dichotomous depiction by stating 'What we are seeing is young protesters who do not need to be led by anyone, coming out in the streets to say that they are tired.' This statement implies that there are only two types of protesters: those who need to be led and those who don't. The author also quotes a protester stating 'We are ready to die for this country.' This is an appeal to fear and creates an emotional response from the reader.
Police beat and fired tear gas at Kenyans
Hundreds of protesters were fired upon, beaten and injured by police
What we are seeing is young protesters who do not need to be led by anyone, coming out in the streets to say that they are tired
Auma Obama, half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, was among protesters tear-gassed during demonstrations outside the parliament building in Nairobi.
Auma Obama expressed her reason for being there: 'I'm here because - look at what's happening. Young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights.'
Accuracy
At least five protesters were killed and dozens wounded during the protests.
Sections of the parliament building were set ablaze as lawmakers inside passed legislation to raise taxes.
At least one person was killed and over 200 others were injured in last week’s protests across Kenya.
