(Nairobi) A 21-year-old protester died after being hit by a tear gas canister during protests in Kenya this week, becoming the second victim of the youth-led movement, according to a member of the Kenya Human Rights Commission.
Led largely by young Kenyans, the rallies against proposed new taxes began earlier this week in the capital Nairobi before spreading to many cities across the country, an economic powerhouse in East Africa, on Thursday.
The movement called “Occupy Parliament”, launched on social networks, outside any political framework, strongly mobilizes young people, who demand the withdrawal of the finance bill from the government of President William Ruto.
Thursday’s protests were generally peaceful, but police used tear gas and water cannons to try to keep protesters away from Parliament.
According to the Kenya Human Rights Commission, Evans Kiratu, 21, was “hit by a tear gas canister” during the protests.
“He was rushed to the hospital around 6 p.m. (11 a.m. Eastern time) on Thursday […] and he died there,” Ernest Cornel, a spokesperson for the Human Rights Commission.
“It is tragic that a young person could lose their life simply by campaigning against the high cost of living,” he added.
The rallies began on Tuesday in Nairobi before spreading across the country. A national strike call has been launched for June 25.
The Independent Police Oversight Authority (IPOA) reported it had “documented the death” of a 29-year-old man, “allegedly resulting from a police shooting”.
President Ruto’s administration has defended its plan for new taxes, saying they are necessary for public finances and to lessen dependence on foreign creditors.