NAIROBI: Hundreds of people marched in the Kenyan capital on Sunday, in tribute to those who died in anti-government demonstrations this week, reporters saw.

According to NGOs, at least 30 people died in protests driven by a government drive to substantially raise taxes in the East African country — although the government has not given any official toll.

The largely peaceful rallies turned violent when lawmakers passed the deeply unpopular tax increases following pressure from the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Police opened fire on protesters who stormed the parliament complex and a fire broke out.

The clashes were unprecedented in the history of the country since its independence from Britain in 1963. On Saturday, a few hundred people gathered in Uhuru Park in central Nairobi following an appeal on central media.

After singing and lighting candles, they waved Kenyan flags and chanted as they marched past the hospital where some of the injured protesters are being treated.

Demonstrators dispersed peacefully late in the afternoon. After the protests turned deadly on June 25, President William Ruto’s administration ultimately withdrew the bill.

Published in Dawn, July 1st, 2024