Babak Obama's Tiri Brother Was Affected By Tear Gas During A Demonstration Of The Tax Law In Kenya

UNSPLASH/ev ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - Kenyan activist Auma Obama, former US President Barack Obama's half-brother, was among the protesters who were hit by tear gas during a demonstration outside the parliament building in Nairobi.

Auma Obama was led side by a CNN reporter.

"I'm here because - see what happens. Kenyan young people demonstrate to demand their rights. They demonstrate with flags and banners. I can't even see anymore," he said.

A man behind him carried a poster, "colonialism never ends in Kenya," while another person shouted, "This is our country. This is our nation."

Auma Obama previously posted a photo of himself on X regarding the protest.

The office of former President Obama did not return calls seeking comment on incidents involving his sister or violence in Kenya.

As previously reported, police opened fire on protesters who tried to storm Kenya's legislative building on Tuesday, June 25 which left five protesters dead.

Dozens more were injured and several parts of the parliament building were burned down when lawmakers in it passed legislation to raise taxes.

Parliament approved the draft financial law, and passed it on to a third discussion by lawmakers. The next step is to send the law to the president for signature. The president can send it back to parliament if he objects.

Protesters oppose tax increases in a country that has been shaken by the cost of living crisis, and many have also called for President William Ruto to step down.

The financial bill aims to increase additional taxes of USD 2.7 billion as part of efforts to ease large debt burdens, with interest payments alone spending 37 percent of annual income.

The government has provided some concessions, pledging to cancel new tax proposals on bread, cooking oil, car ownership and financial transactions. However, this is not satisfactory enough