Kenyans will pay the price for protesting against taxes — Ghanaian MP

Deputy Information Minister Sylvester Tetteh recounted the harrowing protests in Kenya, which resulted in the deaths of several citizens and the eventual cancellation of proposed tax hikes by the government.

Kenyan police have imposed a ban on protests in the center of Nairobi and surrounding areas “until further notice.” The protests erupted in reaction to unpopular tax increases that President William Ruto has since withdrawn. Amid the violent demonstrations, some citizens are reportedly demanding the President's resignation. Security services, having received intelligence about another planned protest, enforced the ban to prevent further unrest.

Speaking to host Kwami Sefa Kayi on Peace FM’s “Kokrokoo” morning show, Hon. Sylvester Tetteh, known affectionately as “Sly Tetteh,” recounted how he and other Ministers and Members of Parliament were caught in the midst of the protests while on an international assignment in Kenya. He disclosed that they were locked in a fortified area in the Kenyan Parliament for nine hours. Sly Tetteh further revealed that the situation became so uncontrollable that some officials had to be hidden in ambulances to escape the riotous crowd.

Based on his experiences in Kenya, the Deputy Minister warned those inciting Ghanaians to replicate similar protests to desist from such actions. “When you look at what has happened in Kenya today, they will pay the price for it… I mean you can criticize. You can press home your demands but not take the law into your hands to that extent because they will pay, they will pay the price,” he cautioned.

He advised that no matter Ghana’s economic situation, violence is not an option. “No matter the form of democracy, it’s better,” he emphasized.