Episode 353: Kenya - is the Beacon of Stability Flickering?

Today, Jess, Les, Martha, and Matt discuss the recent violent protests in Kenya’s capital of Nairobi over a tax bill that would increase taxes on bread, fuel, and other necessities, which was aimed at alleviating the country’s massive debt burden. Protestors stormed the nation’s parliament building, setting parts ablaze, and clashes with police and military forces have left more than 300 injured and 22 dead. Kenyan President William Ruto has now abandoned the bill but vows to quash the continuing unrest “at whatever cost.” 

With Kenya being recently announced as a U.S. major Non-NATO ally, how do these protests impact U.S.-Kenyan relations? What are the implications of these protests on the stability of the region and our ongoing counter-terrorism efforts? What does this unrest mean for the recently deployed Kenyan police mission to violence-stricken Haiti?

Check out the answers to these questions and more in this episode of Fault Lines.

Check out the sources that helped shape our expert's discussion!

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c3gg30gm0x2o 

https://apnews.com/article/kenya-finance-bill-taxes-protests-396382bdac0fc18dfec7cd3003ece35b 

https://apnews.com/article/kenya-protests-finance-bill-33a20092285f1d663264f7b0d513e1da 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/africa/kenya-protests-tax-parliament.html 

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/27/world/africa/kenya-protests-taxes-president-ruto.html 

Follow our experts on Twitter: 

@lestermunson

@NotTVJessJones

@marthamillerdc 

@WMattHayden

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