Finance bill protesters clash with police in Kenya

STORY: Dozens were arrested in Kenya's capital Nairobi on Tuesday (June 18) as they protested a controversial finance bill.

Police used stun grenades, tear gas and water canon to disperse crowds taking part in the "Occupy Parliament" demonstration.

The Finance Bill 2024 outlines revenue-raising proposals some of which, critics say, could cripple sectors including financial and internet services, transport, manufacturing and retail.

One protester, Muthoni Wanjiku, said taxes are already too high.

"We can’t even afford diapers for the kids anymore, there are no vaccines in the hospitals for the children. We need this government to do something, and we can’t just be praying all our problems away."

The bill was set to be discussed in parliament on Tuesday.

By the time the protest was underway, however, the National Assembly's finance committee announced that it was dropping a few of the contentious clauses.

That includes proposed VAT charges on financial services and foreign exchange transactions.