Why the Attack on Kenya’s Parliament Should Serve as a Warning for All of Africa – Governance Expert Advises
The attack on Kenya’s Parliament reflects three major crises plaguing the African continent, according to Prof. Baffour Agyeman-Duah, a former senior governance advisor to the United Nations. These crises are in democratic practices, leadership and governance, and economic stability. Prof. Agyeman-Duah highlighted that these issues contributed to Kenyan youths storming the legislature.
Speaking on KeyPoints Saturday, the CEO of the John Kufuor Foundation emphasized that the incident should be a “very strong lesson for Africa generally.” He identified the root causes of the disturbances as a reflection of the continent’s broader issues: the crisis of democratic practice, poor leadership and governance, and fragile economies.
The immediate trigger for the Kenyan crisis was the government’s attempt to raise funds to meet debt obligations by imposing new taxes. This move sparked protests, with demonstrators storming the parliament on June 25, 2024. The protests, which led to several deaths and injuries, were met with police using tear gas, rubber bullets, and live rounds. President William Ruto condemned the violence and vowed to prevent such incidents in the future. The unpopular tax bill included levies on essential items like bread, vegetable oil, sugar, and manufactured goods, which the government argued were necessary for development and debt reduction.
The unrest underscores the need for African governments to address these systemic issues to prevent similar crises
