Thursday became violent as Kenyans took to protesting against the heavy tax levies proposed by the Kenyan government. These mostly peaceful protests have been met with violence on the side of Kenyan law enforcement. CNN reported chaotic scenes as protestors were tear gassed by police, with one journalist left bloodied after being directly hit with a canister.
Kenyans are tired of high taxation and they are on the streets in masses. Most of the people on the streets are young people."
- Jean Murungi, Daystar Public Relations Officer
It is no secret that Kenya already faces all too high poverty levels due to the massive lack of job opportunity. Even those Kenyans who are employed have noted that the cost of living is getting too high to afford. I spoke to a few of our Daystar colleagues to get some first hand perspective on what is taking place.
“The last time my dad went to the hospital he couldn’t receive the tests or drugs
he needed even though I pay for health insurance for him. No one has a problem with
taxing to pay for government services. We do however have a problem with those
taxes not being used for the betterment of society.”
- Eric Kadenge, Lecturer at Howard University, Daystar University Faculty Member, and DU Alumnus
Kenya already struggles with access to proper healthcare, and women's rights, in specific access to sanitary products. What does this mean? It means that Kenyans will struggling even more finding medical care, and girls in the slums or rural areas will have even less chance at securing sanitary products to attend school.
Many of the proposed taxes have been amended due to the backlash from Kenyans, yet the government still seeks to increase the cost of living in an effort to alleviate Kenya's international debt. As Jean described, most protestors are Kenyan youth, who have seen the weight that Kenya's tax has put on their parents and grandparents. They are fighting for their future and right to survive.
““In total, if you earn 50,000 Shillings a month (around $400 usd), your taxes would be more than 50% of your income. People are also vexed by the government’s wanton wastage and unnecessary expenditure. Meanwhile, our hospitals and schools are in poor conditions.”
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