Kenyan protests: Namibians urged to avoid hotspots

With the situation still tense in Kenya after protesters were killed when police fired on crowds demonstrating against proposed tax increases earlier this week, the Namibian government has urged its citizens in the east African country to steer clear of locations where protests are taking place.Thousands took to the streets of Nairobi and several other cities this week to protest as an online, youth-led movement gathered momentum. At least 22 people were killed, a human rights group said.International relations minister Dr Peya Mushelenga on Wednesday said Namibia is monitoring the situation.“Our mission in Dar Es Salaam, which is accredited to Kenya, is in contact with our nationals in Kenya and has advised them to remain indoors and refrain from going to places where protests are taking place. And that is the same message that we are reiterating,” he told Namibian Sun.Constructive dialogueMushelenga’s statement comes after the chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, expressed deep concern over the outbreak of violence following public protests in Kenya, which has resulted in loss of life and damage to property.He urged all stakeholders to exercise calm and refrain from further violence. He further appealed to national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address the contentious issues that led to the protests in the supreme interest of Kenya.Kenyans have been struggling to cope with several economic shocks caused by the lingering impact of the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, two consecutive years of drought and depreciation of the country’s currency.A finance bill aims to raise an additional US$2.7 billion in taxes as part of an effort to lighten Kenya&#039;s heavy debt load, with interest payments alone consuming 37% of annual revenue.Parliament approved the bill, moving it through to a third reading by lawmakers. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to president William Ruto for signing. He can send it back to parliament if he has any objections.On Wednesday, Ruto withdrew the planned tax hikes, bowing to pressure from protesters who had stormed parliament, launched demonstrations across the country and threatened more action this week. The move is seen as a major victory for a week-old, youth-led protest movement that grew from online condemnations of tax rises into mass rallies demanding a political overhaul.

Kenyan protests: Namibians urged to avoid hotspots

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-09

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Kenyan protests: Namibians urged to avoid hotspots

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Namibian Sun 2025-05-09

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