Kenyan Police Use Tear Gas at Nairobi Protest Over Import Duty Increase
Police used tear gas during a Nairobi protest by traders who said a sharp rise in import duties would damage small businesses.
In short
- Police used tear gas during a Nairobi protest by traders who said a sharp rise in import duties would damage small businesses.
Kenyan police fired tear gas at traders protesting an increase in import duties in Nairobi on August 28, 2026, according to Al Jazeera.
The demonstrators said the duty increase amounted to more than $5,000 and warned that the additional cost would hurt small businesses. The protest took place in the Kenyan capital as traders pressed their objections to the higher import charges.
The confrontation highlights the immediate pressure that changes in border taxation can place on small import-dependent businesses. The available source record did not specify whether authorities announced any change to the duty following the protest.
