Turmoil in Kenya, East Africa

[Ravenlocke]

Text:

23 dead, over 200 wounded by Kenyan police in protests triggered by IMF imposed austerity measures

Protesters now aim to topple Pres William Rufo, author of the stalled tax hikes

This all happened as Biden designated Kenya a "major non-NATO ally"

https://x.com/MaxBlumenthal/status/1806936393626608125

[grapevine]

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
Text:

This all happened as Biden designated Kenya a "major non-NATO ally"

- Africa has 54 countries in total, all of them members of the UN
- There are no African countries in NATO
- Two African countries - Egypt and South Africa are members of BRICS
- Nigeria has shown interest in becoming a member of BRICS
- Most African countries have been colonised by European countries, Kenya by the British
- Only Ethiopia, Liberia and South Sudan are independent

That 400 Kenyan police are in Haiti is very significant imo as it relates directly to the document posted and archived by Tintin last year, which entitles the troops from any country to "police" the civilians in another. This move, of course, removes any feelings of solidarity that the troops of one country may feel for their own.

[Ravenlocke]

Posted by Miller (here)

Posted by Ravenlocke (here)
Text:

This all happened as Biden designated Kenya a "major non-NATO ally"

- Africa has 54 countries in total, all of them members of the UN
- There are no African countries in NATO
- Two African countries - Egypt and South Africa are members of BRICS
- Nigeria has shown interest in becoming a member of BRICS
- Most African countries have been colonised by European countries, Kenya by the British
- Only Ethiopia, Liberia and South Sudan are independent

That 400 Kenyan police are in Haiti is very significant imo as it relates directly to the document posted and archived by Tintin last year, which entitles the troops from any country to "police" the civilians in another. This move, of course, removes any feelings of solidarity that the troops of one country may feel for their own.

And how does this tie to the Kenyans protesting the IMF tax hike their government headed by Ruto was going to impose on them, and with the comment made here

https://projectavalon.net/forum4/sho...=1#post1620234

by Max Blumenthal regarding the outcome of the protest and the number of wounded and beaten citizens by government police?

And also the fact that IMF tax hike came after president Biden designated Kenya a “major non NATO ally”??

Note: The video posted in the Max Blumenthal comment is about the police brutality that they used on their own people during the demonstrations so one can imagine that same brutality is likely being used in Haiti, but it will not tarnish the US image so to speak because it isn’t the US troops on Haiti soil.

The news about sending Kenyan police to Haiti has been posted on the Turmoil in Haiti thread by the way.

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/Honeyfarsafi/status/1807106036186427838

https://x.com/Wesley_Kibande/status/1807138330993209623

https://x.com/salimishmael_/status/1807030962707947554

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
This week, Kenya witnessed a historic moment as protestors stormed Parliament on Tuesday, demanding the rejection of the 2024 Finance Bill. Tragically, the demonstrations resulted in fatalities and injuries. As of Thursday the 27th, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (
@HakiKNCHR
) had reported 21 deaths and 336 injuries. However, these figures do not include casualties from Ongata Rongai.

https://x.com/AfUncensored/status/1806745346648731947

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/IsaacBiu/status/1806669442761228542

INDEBTED: Kenya's Journey to a Debt Crisis [Part 2: The Feeding Trough]

Kenya's economy is in serious trouble. The country's leadership has just pushed through Parliament a budget that is driven by the need to collect as much tax as possible. In fact, the government's target of Kshs 3.6 trillion in the 2023/2024 budget is Kshs 1.5 trillion more than the 2022/2023 budget. This speaks to the desperate situation that Kenya is in. But Kenya's debts don't come from thin air.

This series breaks it all down. It is a story of at least a decade of mismanagement of Kenya's loans, shocking corruption and debt dependency that has led the country to this point told by auditors, analysts and insiders.

Thank you for watching. If you love our content, become an Africa Uncensored patron today and support our work today. It will boost our resources and enhance our ability to dig up the truth: Patreon:

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=ZJamDaDTuGE

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1807025472515223900

https://en.sputniknews.africa/202406...067291032.html

Kenya to Take Measures to Reduce Expenditure Following Decline of Finance Bill 2024

Kenya's President William Ruto has issued instructions to reduce expenditure following the decline of the Finance Bill 2024, which was met with fierce protests in the country. The reduction will amount to roughly $2.7 billion, an official statement reads.
"Further, I have directed the National Treasury to immediately submit to Parliament amendments to the Division of Revenue Act 2024 to reflect the reduced revenues occasioned by the rejected Finance Bill," it says.

The institution was also instructed "to ensure that only critical and essential services are funded, using no more than 15% of the budget until the supplementary budget is approved."

The demonstrations against the tax increases proposed in the Finance Bill 2024 resulted in the deaths of at least 23 people and the injury of over 300 others in various regions of the country, the portal said.

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1806804428013305875

https://en.sputniknews.africa/202406...067282947.html

IMF Reportedly Urges Kenya to Implement New Taxes Despite Protests
The Kenyan government have implemented tax measures in response to the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) request to decrease the budget deficit from 5.7% to... 28.06.2024, Sputnik Africa

The IMF has advised Kenya to enforce additional levies, despite facing opposition from the people, local portal The Nation reported, citing a senior official at the fund.
It also appealed to the government of President William Ruto to maintain its dedication to the reforms outlined in its program, as it foresaw a potential revenue collection deficit.
Moreover, the fund reportedly foresaw the people’s outrage but still pushed the government to adopt a controversial reform.

Kenya secured a four-year loan agreement with the IMF in 2021 and committed to further financial support for climate initiatives in May 2023, increasing its total access to IMF loans to $3.6 billion. The IMF mandates regular reviews of implemented reforms, which, for Kenya, occur every six months, prior to releasing installments of the funding.
Kenya reached a staff-level agreement with the IMF earlier this month on the seventh review. The review theoretically clears the way for $976 million, but it has not yet secured decisive approval from the IMF Board.
Kenya's public debt amounted to 70.6% of its GDP at the end of last June, according to the National Treasury, which exceeds the recommended threshold of 55% known as the "tipping point" advocated by the IMF and the World Bank.

However, it is projected that government debt will remain at a "sustainable" level and that the debt-to-GDP ratio will decline, according to the recent budget statement.

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/sputnik_africa/status/1808865118056558983

https://en.sputniknews.africa/202407...medium=twitter

Kenya's Central Bank Expert Takes Lead in Debt Management Office

Kenya has appointed central bank economist Raphael Owino as the new head of its debt management office, the finance ministry announced on Wednesday. Owino succeeds Haron Sirima, who announced his resignation in January.
The finance ministry praised Owino's expertise in public debt management, including maintaining sustainable debt levels, reducing long-term servicing costs, and managing contingent liabilities.

"Owino brings a wealth of knowledge and valuable experience from his previous role at the Central Bank of Kenya," the statement said. "We are confident that Mr. Owino’s expertise, experience, and insights will greatly benefit our organization as he steps into this critical role."

The public office also thanked the outgoing director general, Dr. Haron Sirima, for "his outstanding work at the National Treasury."

Earlier this year, Kenya's public finances came under scrutiny amid fears that the country would default on a $2 billion international bond.

In an effort to manage the debt, the finance ministry issued a new $1.5 billion bond in February to buy back most of the $2 billion bond, which was repaid last month.

In addition, violent protests erupted in the Kenyan capital and other parts of the country in mid-June over a proposed tax increase bill, which President William Ruto eventually withdrew. This action could complicate efforts to meet the International Monetary Fund's (IMF) requirement to reduce the budget deficit from 5.7% to 3.3% of GDP.
Although protests erupted across the country after parliament debated and passed a bill, the IMF reportedly insisted on the measures even after violence broke out.

The bill proposed a 16% value-added tax (VAT) on bread, sugar transportation, mobile and financial services, and foreign currency transactions. It also included a 2.5% excise tax on cars and vegetable oil. In response to the escalating protests, Ruto refused to sign the bill and sent it back to parliament for further review.

According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, 39 individuals lost their lives and 361 were injured over the course of two weeks of protests.

[Bill Ryan]

https://t.me/DDGeopolitics/116024

The President of Kenya has announced the dissolution of the government.

Kenyan President William Ruto announced on Thursday the dissolution of the government, dismissing almost his entire cabinet as part of measures undertaken following widespread anti-government protests that turned deadly.

He said the move, with immediate effect, affected all ministers except Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Minister Musalia Mudavadi and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

~~~

[Ravenlocke]

Text:
⚡️Kenyan President Dissolves Govt Following Weeks Of Unrest

Only the Deputy President and Prime Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs will remain, according to William Ruto's announcement. He said he took the decision taken after "reflection, listening to Kenyans, and holistic appraisal" of his cabinet.

Ruto has come under fire for trying to implement IMF-backed tax reform, which caused violent protests across the country that resulted in at least 39 deaths.

The proposed tax hike was repealed, but protests continued as people called for the President to resign. In an effort to quell the unrest, Ruto announced a number of cuts to govt spending - including reducing the number of govt advisors.

https://x.com/RT_India_news/status/1811385388868469231

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/MainlandAfrica/status/1893697750463553840

¤=[Post Update]=¤

https://x.com/MainlandAfrica/status/1893637209804140600

[Ravenlocke]

https://x.com/african_stream/status/1894806202980221208

https://x.com/african_stream/status/1894806244302446898

https://x.com/african_stream/status/1894806268264518054

[Ravenlocke]

Stephen Mutoro

KENYA BURNS: TOTAL, BLOODY SHUTDOWN OVER HIGH FUEL PRICES
🟢 Kenya ground to a halt, Monday, as matatu operators declared an indefinite strike over soaring fuel prices, triggering nationwide protests
🟢 At least 6 people were killed, dozens injured, and property destroyed across multiple counties
🟢 Over 300 people arrested; 6 police officers injured; 5 police vehicles damaged

🔴 Ruto’s Absence
🟢 President Ruto was attending the World Urban Forum in Baku, Azerbaijan, oblivious to the unfolding crisis at home
🟢 Acting President Kithure Kindiki remained largely silent, issuing only a bland statement blaming the US-Israel-Iran conflict for global oil price spikes
🟢 Energy CS Opiyo Wandayi emerged empty-handed after a 5-hour marathon meeting with matatu operators — no deal reached. His presser turned into an embarrassment as transport stakeholders announced “no deal” and took over the briefing as CS walked away
Economic Hemorrhage
🟢 Economy estimated to lose Sh3 billion for every day of demonstrations
🟢 KRA missed nearly Sh1B in daily petroleum tax revenue
🟢 Matatu sector alone incurred Sh500M in losses on Monday
🟢 At least 380,000 vehicles were off the road

🔴 Streets & Counties
🟢 Protests erupted in Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, Eldoret, Kiambu, Meru, Murang’a, Homa Bay, Taita Taveta, and beyond
🟢 Roads barricaded with logs, bonfires, and burning tyres; a Chinese contractor’s truck torched on the Rironi-Mau Summit Expressway
🟢 Kangemi bus stage turned into a football pitch as no matatus operated
Education & Transport Collapse
🟢 Schools shut or recorded near-zero attendance as parents kept children home
🟢 Commuters forced to walk from as early as 5am; some walked from Kangemi to Westlands
🟢 The few matatus operating hiked fares from Sh50 to as much as Sh300

🔴 Political Fallout
🟢 Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen blamed opposition politicians — widely dismissed as scapegoating
🟢 Jubilee Deputy Leader Fred Matiang’i warned: “I want to tell Kenyans to brace themselves for worse times ahead”
🟢 Wiper’s Kalonzo Musyoka called for CS Wandayi’s resignation
🟢 Matatu boss Albert Karagacha publicly rebuked the government: “No deal. No matatu on the road”
🟢 The protests will continue on Tuesday as no deal was reached — even as the protests found the dismissive government honchos least prepared

https://x.com/smutoro/status/2056468270237040980

https://x.com/africansinnews/status/2056481080211808382

Rwanda HD

KENYA TRANSPORT STRIKE OVER FUEL PRICES

On the night of May 17–18, 2026, Kenyan transport operators launched a nationwide strike, halting buses, matatus, and major transport companies.

Students stranded en route to schools,
workers unable to reach jobs and bus stations empty as vehicles stayed off the road

On May 14, Kenya’s energy regulator EPRA announced sharp fuel hikes: Petrol ↑ KSh 16.65 → 214.25/litre
Diesel ↑ KSh 46.29 → 242.92/litre

Drivers’ unions demanded: Fuel price reduction, resignation of Energy Minister Opiyo Wandayi
Dissolution of EPRA and creation of a new regulator

The strike spread: Matatu Saccos suspended operations.

Major bus firms (Super Metro, Metro Trans, Latema Travelers, Forward Travelers) joined in solidarity

Drivers argue fuel hikes raise costs across the board: transport, electricity, food, worsening daily life for Kenyans.

“Prices rose due to global conflict America, Israel, and Iran which closed the Hormuz Strait, blocking 20% of world oil supply.” Finance Minister John Mbadi

https://x.com/rwandahd/status/2056353151096176942