Messages, appeals and statements of Comintern (SH)

Cost-of-living crisis ignites protests in Kenya

One demonstrator was shot dead by the police.

Tax hike protest

- Targeting the poor -

Police in Kenya have fired tear gas and used water cannon. Contaminated cartridges at the scene indicated the use of live ammunition. One demonstrator was shot dead by the police.

At least 335 people were arrested.

In the capital Nairobi, at least 200 people were injured.

The tax increases were projected to raise 346.7 billion shillings ($2.7bn), equivalent to 1.9 percent of gross domestic product (GDP), and reduce the budget deficit from 5.7 percent to 3.3 percent of GDP.

The government of the bourgeoisie still goes ahead with some tax increases to fill their coffers - allegedly "to cut reliance on external borrowing". In truth, however, the rich in Kenya are trying to improve their corrupt income by shifting the state costs of colonialist exploitation onto the poor population. This will further exacerbate the cost of living crisis in Kenya.

In reply to the protesers the government abolished levies on bread purchases, car ownership, financial and mobile phone services, but as a counter measure it increases fuel prices and export taxes to plug the gap left by the changes. Anyway, this -will make life even more expensive in a country already struggling with high inflation.

The East African economic powerhouse relies heavily on diesel for transport, power generation and agriculture, while many households use paraffin for cooking and lighting.

Kenyans are fed up with increased taxation and the protesters in Nairobi have decided to demonstrate across the country.

"Ruto must go!"

Yes, this is not bad but this slogan is not sufficient to survive misery of life in Kenya. The only way out will be the socialist revolution in Kenya, in Africa and all over the world.

Only when the dictatorship of the African bourgeoisie is smashed and the dictatorship of the African proletariat is established will there be a new Kenya and a new Africa - without exploitation and oppression!