Nairobi, Kenya - July 7, 2024

Hundreds of Kenyan youth attended a concert in Nairobi on Sunday honoring those who lost their lives in the recent anti-tax hike protests across the country.

The protests, predominantly led by the Gen-Z demonstrators, began in cities and towns across the country after the Finance Bill 2024 was introduced in parliament on June 18. The young protesters expressed outrage over provisions of the bill that would raise taxes on goods and services that many people depend on, such as bread and mobile money transfers, to meet the government's revenue targets.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that at least 39 people died as violent force was administered against the protests, though local activists claimed the number is 41, citing two additional deaths.

After three weeks of protests, the public gathered in Nairobi on Sunday for a different purpose: to commemorate those killed during the unrest. Kenyan artists performed music as crowds waved the national flag in tribute to the dead. The concert began with the national anthem, followed by performances from a group of Kenyan artists.

Steven Onyango, a Nairobi resident, attended the concert to honor a friend who died during the demonstrations. "I wasn't at the protests that day, but he came and suffered a gunshot wound and he died. We just buried him last Friday," he said.

Some attended to remember protesters they may not have known personally but felt connected to.

At the concert site, people carried wooden crosses bearing the names of the deceased, a poignant reminder of their loss.

Kenyan President William Ruto on June 26 announced that his government had dropped the controversial tax hike proposals.

On Friday, following the protests, Ruto held a live conversation with the public through the X Spaces platform. During the session he promised to take measures to address a number of grievances.

Shotlist:
Nairobi, Kenya - July 7, 2024:
1. Various of concert honoring anti-tax hike protests victims in progress; attendees holding national flags of Kenya;
2. Various of people singing, dancing, holding flags of Kenya; artist performing;
Nairobi, Kenya - June 27, 2024;
3. Police walking on street, firing tear gas;
4. Various of police clashing with protesters, arresting protesters;
5. Various of protesters blowing whistle, throwing objects at police;
Nairobi, Kenya - July 7, 2024
6. Various of concert in progress; attendees;
7. Kenyan youth Steven Onyango;
8. SOUNDBITE (Swahili, dubbed with English) Steven Onyango, Nairobi resident:
"I wasn't at the protests that day, but he came and suffered a gunshot wound and he died. We just buried him last Friday.";
9. People sitting on lawn, holding flag of Kenya;
10. Various of people laughing, singing;
11. SOUNDBITE (Swahili, dubbed with English) Evans Kibet, Nairobi resident:
"I didn't really know them well, but some I had run into. This is their special day that we have set aside to remember them.";
12. Various of wooden crosses bearing names of dead protesters;
13. SOUNDBITE (Swahili, dubbed with English) James Chege, Nairobi resident:
"These are some of the people we were on the journey with, unfortunately some lost their lives, and we feel that it's only fair if we are able to come together and have a remembrance.";
14. Wooden crosses with names of dead protesters;
15. Various of concert in progress; artists performing; attendees;
16. People holding flags of Kenya.

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