Kenya boils as 15 killed, 300 arrested in protest against hiked taxes

About 15 protesters have, so far, died and 300 people arrested following nationwide protest against hiked taxes in Kenya, the Reuters said.

Demonstrators hurled rocks at police and burned tyres in the streets, while the security forces fired volleys of tear gas, witnesses said. It was the third round of anti-government demonstrations the opposition called this month.

Police arrested at least 300 people countrywide, including nine senior opposition figures, according to the interior ministry and an opposition lawyer.

Schools were closed in the capital Nairobi, the port city of Mombasa and Kisumu, the country’s third-largest city. Nairobi’s city centre was largely deserted with many businesses shut, while police erected checkpoints on roads leading to State House, President William Ruto’s official residence.

Rutowas elected last August pledging to champion the interests of the poor but prices of basic commodities have risen under his administration and last month his government passed tax hikes.

The government says the levies on fuel and housing are needed to help deal with growing debt repayments and to fund job-creation initiatives.

In Wednesday’s unrest, seven people were admitted at Nakuru County Referral Hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds, a top hospital official, Dr. James Waweru, told Reuters.

Citizen TV reported that two people were shot dead in Nakuru, in the Rift Valley, without saying by whom.

Those arrested will be charged with various crimes including looting, malicious damage and arson, the ministry said.

In Migori town in western Kenya, two people sought treatment for gunshot wounds sustained during protests there, Citizen TV reported. One person was shot dead and another wounded in the southern town of Makueni, Citizen TV said.

Citizen TV also reported that two people were shot and wounded in Nairobi, while the Standard newspaper also reported two people shot in the capital.