Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, faced tear gas in Kenya during a live interview with CNN amidst anti-tax protests that engulfed Nairobi on Tuesday.
Obama, a Kenyan-British activist, was participating in a discussion with correspondent Larry Madowo and a group of young protesters who were rallying against a controversial finance bill seeking to generate $2.7 billion through increased taxes on items like bread and car ownership to address the country’s budget deficit. “I’m here because of what’s happening. Young Kenyans are standing up for their rights.
They are protesting with flags and banners,” Obama expressed before her group was affected by tear gas. “I can’t see anymore, we’re being teargassed,” she added. Later on, in another video, Obama expressed disbelief that the Kenyan police would use tear gas on “their own people,” who she claimed were peacefully demonstrating. “Listen to them. Listen to these children, they are the future,” she urged the authorities.
Reports indicate that Kenyan police resorted to gunfire after tear gas and water cannons failed to disperse protesters attempting to breach the local parliament. The Star newspaper reported that demonstrators set fire to at least one police vehicle and a section of the National Assembly building.
At least eight individuals were reportedly shot during the chaos, with up to five protesters believed to have been killed. The Kenya Human Rights Commission has denounced the police violence, stating that it witnessed officers shooting at least four people, resulting in one fatality.
The NGO expressed its strong condemnation of the police killing, emphasizing that such actions are completely unacceptable and a serious violation of human rights. They stressed the importance of justice and accountability, and stated their determination to actively advocate for police accountability. This statement was made on X (formerly Twitter).
In response to the youth-led demonstrations demanding the withdrawal of the controversial finance bill and the resignation of the MPs responsible for it, protests took place on Tuesday. Despite these demonstrations, the Kenyan lawmakers passed the Finance Bill with a majority of 195 votes to 106. The legislation now awaits the final signature of President William Ruto, who has expressed his pride in the protesters and his willingness to engage in dialogue with them.
