Hundreds of 8锔忊儯 Kenyans flocked to the center of the capital, Nairobi, on Tuesday to protest a proposed finance bill that many fear 8锔忊儯 will significantly raise their already-high cost of living by adding sweeping new taxes and increasing others on a wide range 8锔忊儯 of goods and services.
Protesters wearing black T-shirts and blowing whistles and vuvuzelas gathered 8锔忊儯 near the Parliament, adding to an outpouring of online anger trumpeted through hashtags and videos on TikTok. Lawmakers have also 8锔忊儯 been flooded with phone calls and text messages pressuring them to reject the bill.
Police officers used tear gas and water cannons immediately after the protests began after noon local 8锔忊儯 time. At least nine people were seen being detained near the Parliament and were put into police vans, and activists 8锔忊儯 and lawyers said many more were in police custody. The police have not yet issued a statement on the number 8锔忊儯 of arrests.
Businesses in the central business district closed their doors as police 8锔忊儯 officers chased demonstrators and sirens rang through the streets.