July 19, 2023, 10:11 AMA riot policeman reloads a teargas grenade launcher during clashes with protesters in the Kibera area of Nairobi, Kenya, July 19, 2023.is bracing for three days of anti-government protests led by the government's political opposition over a contentious new finance bill and the rising cost of living
"We are here, first and foremost, to confirm that the peaceful protests planned for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday this week are on as earlier declared by our leadership," read a statement by Odinga's party, Azimio La Umoja, sent to ABC News. In Kibera -- a stronghold of the opposition -- protests turned violent, with demonstrators setting fire to tires and furniture, stones being pelted, and tear gas being deployed by police. In the most recent round of anti-government protests at least 23 people are reported to have been killedProtests have also been reported in Kenya's Kisumu, Kisii and Migori counties.
The bill aimed to aid in offsetting Kenya's external debt, officials said. However, the bill will have a ripple effect on the price of basic commodities, compounding on the economic strain of Kenyans already struggling with the rising cost of living.