APA-Nairobi (Kenya) Tens of thousands of Kenyans have been taking to the streets of major towns and cities in protest over the general cost of living crisis rocking the East African nation.
Kenyan anti-riot police have been out in forces to stop further protests on Thursday a day after clashes with stone-throwing protesters.
Security officers used teargas to disperse opposition demonstrators who have been on the streets of the capital Nairobi since Monday, demandig answers for what they called skyrocketing costs of badic commodities which are beyond the means of average consumers.
Schools and businesses have been closed due to the unrest as protesters sealed off whole Nairobi districts while police declare some parts of the port city of Mombasa off-limit.
Running street battles between the police and protestes have been reported in Nakuru, Kenya’s Rift Valley region.
One person was reported killed in several days of protests.
Led by veteran politician Raila Odinga, the protesters say wdespread disenchantment was as a result of a rise in taxes which the government introduced in June.
President William Ruto has coe under sharp criticism over the rise in taxes which many see as a far cry from his election campaign promise to assuage the plight of poor, disadvantaged Kenyans who are in their millions.
Ruto critics say his government has failed to deal with rising food prices while continuing to raise taxes.
WN/as/APA