PNN – Thirteen Western countries have expressed “deep concern” over the deadly protests in Kenya over tax hikes.
According to the report of Pakistan News Network, quoted by the French news agency, the embassies and diplomatic offices of 13 Western countries, including Canada, Germany, England, and the United States, said in a joint statement, “We are shocked by the violent scenes we witnessed outside the Kenyan Parliament.”
Following the approval of the tax increase law by the Kenyan parliament and the attempts of protesters to rush towards this legislative body, the police shot at them to disperse the protesting crowd.
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At least five people were killed, dozens were injured and parts of the parliament building were set on fire after the police fired at the protesters.
Kenyan police tried to disperse the crowd by using tear gas and water cannons after the protesters stormed towards the first parliament, but after the protesters continued to attack, they shot at them.
Opponents of the tax increase in Kenya, who consider it a livelihood crisis, want the resignation of President William Ruto, Reuters wrote.
Ruto won nearly two years ago on a campaign of support for poor Kenyan workers, but is also under pressure from the International Monetary Fund to cut the budget deficit for more aid and the poor community.
It is said that the government’s goal in presenting this bill is to raise $2.7 billion in additional taxes in an effort to reduce Kenya’s heavy foreign debt burden.