Plain clothes police officers arrest a demonstrator protesting against proposed tax hikes in a finance bill that is due to be tabled in parliament in Nairobi, Kenya, Tuesday, June 18, 2024. Civil society groups say that despite the dozens of arrests, demonstrations and a planned sit-down outside the parliament buildings will continue.
Police hurled tear gas canisters at hundreds of demonstrators on Tuesday, forcing businesses to temporarily close because of fears over looting. Some major tax proposals in the bill were dropped after a Tuesday morning meeting between ruling party lawmakers and President William Ruto. A proposed tax on goods that degrade the environment will also be amended to apply only to imported goods to encourage local manufacturing.“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all arrested protesters and observers,” the group said.