Several people were shot in a protest against the increase in taxes in Kenya A hospital official told the nation's media on Wednesday ...

 

Several people were shot in a protest against the increase in taxes in Kenya

A hospital official told the nation's media on Wednesday that numerous individuals had been shot in Kenya and that some of them were feared to have died as security officers and protestors clashed across the country over the high cost of living and rising taxes.

D.C. - According to witnesses, while the security forces were using tear gas, protesters were throwing stones at the police and setting tires on fire in the streets.

Kenyan protesters oppose the country's rising taxes and prices for commodities.

The opposition has called for a third round of anti-government demonstrations this month.

According to the Interior Ministry and an opposition lawyer, police have detained at least 300 people across the nation, including nine key opposition members.

Schools in the nation's capital Nairobi, the port city of Mombasa, and Kisumu, the third-largest city, were forced to close as a result. The streets of Nairobi's capital city were deserted, everything was dispersed, and many stores were shuttered. The police had also placed checkpoints on the roads leading to William Ruto's presidential house.

When President Ruto ran for office in August, he pledged to advance the interests of the underprivileged. However, since taking office, consumer goods prices have increased, and only last month, his government passed a tax hike.

The administration claims that taxes on fuel and housing are necessary to address the growing national debt and boost employment.

In Mombasa, a protester identified only as Eric told Reuters that "this government is violating the constitution by oppressing us while we are trying to establish a single government through peaceful protests."