The Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat Wednesday expressed deep concern over the outbreaks of violence in Kenya.
In a statement the AU commission released on Wednesday, the chairperson urged all stakeholders to exercise calm and refrain from further violence. The Chairperson also 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.
The Chairperson also reiterated the total solidarity of the African Union with the Government and People of Kenya and exhorts them to maintain peace, security and stability in the country.
Thousands of protesters across the country took to the streets to oppose the Finance Bill 2024 passed by the lawmakers Tuesday morning, which aims to raise an additional 346.7 billion shillings (about 2.7 billion U.S. dollars) of taxes to reduce the budget deficit and state borrowing.
The bill was amended to remove the proposed 16 percent VAT on bread, transportation of sugar, financial services, and foreign exchange transactions, as well as the 2.5 percent motor vehicle tax. There will be no increase in mobile money transfer fees, and excise duty on vegetable oil has been removed. And levies on the housing fund and the proposed one on social health insurance will not attract income tax.
The legislators also imposed an eco-levy on imported items like smart phones and electronics, noting they end up as electronic waste damaging the environment.
The public protest has resulted in loss of lives and damage to property, the statement added.
MG/as/APA