Kenya's anti-tax protests follow Ruto

STORY: Kenya's protests followed President William Ruto to a school on Sunday (June 23), where he was attending the consecration of a bishop.

:: Courtesy of KTN

Widespread, youthful demonstrations have erupted across the country over a proposed finance bill that aims to raise an extra $2.7 billion through additional taxes.

Inside the school, in the town of Nyahururu, Ruto was offering his praise.

"I am very proud of our young people. They have stepped forward; "tribeless", they have stepped forward; peaceful, and I want to tell them we are going to engage them."

:: Courtesy of KTN

Outside, protesters were - according to local media reports - blocking vehicles belonging to leaders of Ruto's ruling Kenya Kwanza party.

Ruto was whisked away by his security team when they realized the crowds were there to confront him.

Protesters say the finance bill threatens to stifle the economy and raise living costs for Kenyans who are already struggling.

However, the International Monetary Fund has insisted on the necessity of the bill for reducing the budget deficit and state borrowing.

Last week, Ruto endorsed recommendations to scrap some of the new levies, including on car ownership, bread, cooking oil and financial transactions.

Parliament is scheduled to debate the bill on Tuesday (June 25) and vote on proposed amendments.