Kenya: Protesters hurled stones at police in Kibera as protest begins against tax hikes

Nairobi: About 100 protesters hurled stones at police in the Kibera neighbourhood of Nairobi on Wednesday morning as three days of demonstrations against the cost of living and tax hikes kicked off in Kenya. Protesters burned tires in Kibera and were met with volleys of tear gas by police.

 

Kibera, a stronghold for veteran opposition leader Raila Odinga who represented the community in parliament from 1993-2003, has often been a flashpoint for standoffs with security forces. The situation was largely calm elsewhere in the capital. Authorities had announced that schools would close on Wednesday and the



city centre was largely deserted with many businesses shuttered and shops closed.

The Nation newspaper reported that police arrested suspected protesters in Homa Bay in the west of the country. Another local outlet, Kenya Television Network, reported that three protesters were hospitalized in Migori, close to the Tanzanian border.

Two rounds of protests earlier this month descended into violence when police fired tear gas, and in some cases live rounds, at the crowds. At least 15 people were killed and hundreds were arrested.