Recent protests in Kenya against escalating living costs have resulted in six fatalities at the hands of police, according to an official source. Simultaneously, over 50 schoolchildren in Nairobi were subjected to tear gas, a health worker reported. The demonstrations, spearheaded by opposition leader Raila Odinga, are in direct response to a newly implemented tax law, which Odinga vows to fight until repealed.

An anonymous police official, speaking to the Associated Press, detailed the locations of the deaths: three in Mlolongo, two in Kitengela, and one in Emali. The official cited business disruption as the reason for the shootings, a claim likely to draw criticism from human rights organizations who have previously condemned Kenyan police for excessive force. Over ten additional individuals sustained injuries requiring hospitalization.

A health worker at Nairobi's Eagle Nursing Home clinic revealed that 53 children between the ages of 10 and 15 were treated for tear gas exposure at their school. Alvin Sikuku, the health worker, confirmed their recovery and the de-escalation of tensions surrounding the incident. The Independent Medico-Legal Unit, a civil society watchdog, expressed horror at the police's actions.

Elsewhere in Nairobi, protests continued with demonstrators burning tires and partially dismantling a toll expressway entrance, viewed by some as a symbol of economic disparity. The resulting chaos brought traffic to a standstill.

Kenya's interior ministry attributed the "extensive damage of major public assets" to opposition supporters and confirmed injuries to both civilians and law enforcement officers. Odinga, who lost the 2022 presidential election to William Ruto, remains steadfast in his call for protests against the nation's mounting debt and rising prices. He accused the police of obstructing his access to a planned speaking engagement, maintaining that the demonstrations are peaceful until police intervention.

With inflation hovering around 8%, the new taxes, including a doubled levy on petroleum products, have exacerbated public frustration. Odinga's plea to repeal the new measures stems from the widespread hardship experienced by Kenyans struggling to afford basic necessities. While many Kenyans choose to avoid the demonstrations, the economic repercussions pose a significant challenge for President Ruto, who campaigned on alleviating financial burdens.

Nairobi resident Lilian Anyango voiced the concerns of many, citing the impact of the protests and rising costs on their ability to work, afford food, and send children to school. Human rights organizations continue to criticize the police's requirement for advance notification of demonstrations, citing Kenya's constitutional right to peaceful protest. National police inspector general Japhet Koome has warned that all lawful means will be employed to disperse such gatherings.