By: Natasha Archary

At least 23 people were killed in Kenya during protests over a contentious finance bill.
What started as online uproar over the bill which pushed for exorbitant tax hikes to be motioned, turned into a deadly nationwide protest as police opened fired live ammunition on protesters.
The bill proposed a 16% sales tax on bread and a 25% duty fee on cooking oil. In addition, an annual tax on vehicle ownership of 2.5% to the value of the vehicle was proposed.
Amongst the tax increases was an eco levy fee on products that contribute to waste and which are harmful to the environment.
Items such as sanitary pads and baby nappies would also be affected with an increased price.
Things escalated on Tuesday, 25 June after protesters stormed and set fire to a section of Kenya’s parliament building.
Kenya’s President William Ruto held back on signing off on the finance bill on Wednesday, 26 June and has reportedly taken it back to his government for amendments to be made.
Violents clashes between police and protesters claimed the lives of 23 people, while 30 others were taken to medical facilities with gunshot wounds.
Kenya reportedly has a debt of more than $80 billion, and Ruto said the bill was necessary to ensure this is brought under control.
The finance bill was meant to come into law on Monday, 01 July.
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