Auma Obama tear-gassed during deadly protests over tax hikes

Auma Obama, half-sister of former U.S. President Barack Obama, was tear-gassed by Kenyan police during a protest outside the parliament building on Tuesday.

The demonstration turned deadly as police fired on protesters attempting to storm the legislature, resulting in at least five fatalities and dozens of injuries, according to Reuters.

The protest was ignited by the approval of a controversial finance bill that significantly increases taxes on essential goods and services. The bill, passed amidst the chaos, includes a 16% sales tax on bread, a 25% duty on cooking oil, increased taxes on financial transactions, and a new annual 2.5% tax on vehicle ownership based on the vehicle’s value.

Critics argue these measures will disproportionately impact ordinary citizens and businesses, exacerbating the cost of living crisis in Kenya.

As demonstrators clashed with police and parts of the parliament building were set on fire, Auma Obama, a prominent Kenyan activist, found herself at the center of the turmoil. During a CNN interview amidst the chaos, Obama, visibly shaken and coughing from tear gas exposure, expressed her solidarity with the protesters.

“I’m here because—look at what’s happening. Young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights. They’re demonstrating with flags and banners. I can’t even see anymore,” she said, shielding her eyes from the smoke. “We are being tear-gassed.”

While she spoke, a protester behind her held a sign reading “Colonialism never ended in Kenya,” and another shouted, “This is our country! This is our nation!”—emphasizing the deep-seated frustration and resistance against the perceived lingering effects of colonialism and the desire for self-determination.

Photos of Auma Obama participating in the protest were earlier shared on Twitter, highlighting her active involvement in the demonstration.

Meanwhile, the office of former President Barack Obama declined to comment on the incident involving his half-sister or the violent clashes in Kenya, stating that they had no immediate statement to offer.

As the situation remains tense, the Kenyan government faces growing scrutiny and criticism over its handling of the protests and the controversial tax bill. The deadly events in Nairobi underscore the broader discontent and urgent calls for economic justice and governmental accountability in Kenya.