White House: US Condemns Riots Of Bloody Demonstration In Kenya

Protests about the new Fiscal Bill in Kenya. (Twitter/@AmnestyKenya)

JAKARTA - The White House said it condemned the violence reported in Kenya, where thousands took to the streets to protest against the Financial Law regarding tax increases.

"We continue to urge restraint so that no more Kenyans are in danger while exercising their right to peaceful assembly," national security spokesman John Kirby said by telephone.

Most recently, Kenyan President William Ruto said he would not sign a draft controversial financial law that had sparked a wave of protests in the country.

"After reflecting on the ongoing talks regarding the contents of the 2024 Financial Bill, and listening carefully to Kenyans who loudly say that they don't want to have anything to do with the 2024 Financial Bill, I acknowledge, and therefore I will not sign the bill. The 2024 Financial Bill," Ruto said in a televised address reported by CNN, Wednesday, June 26.

Kenya was hit by national protests against a proposed tax increase, culminating in the country's "total closure" on Tuesday, which quickly turned violent as police used tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators.

The controversial financial bill has sparked widespread protest movements vowing to "7 Days of Anger."

Police previously 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. But that's not satisfactory enough.