RIOTS against several proposed taxes in Kenya have been exacerbated by the country’s external debt crisis and will require international intervention to resolve, international development charity Christian Aid has warned.

The intervention comes as doctors say at least 13 protesters were killed during protests in Kenya.. The demonstrations, which escalated on  25 June, have seen a section of the Kenyan Parliament go up in flames and have forced a government u-turn.

According to Christian Aid’s recent report, Between Life and Debt, Kenya spent more repaying external debts – £3.7 billion – than on healthcare or education last year. Kenya is also paying its lenders ahead of investing in climate mitigation, the charity says.

Janet Ngombalu, Christian Aid’s Country Director in Kenya, said: “Kenyans are worried. In the face of this abhorrent violence, too many have not felt safe on our streets. This disastrous debt burden has led to unsustainable spending cuts. We now see a lack of equipment and medicine in hospitals and reduced welfare for the elderly and vulnerable.”

Approximately 90 per cent of the debt owed to private creditors by lower income countries is governed by English law. With an impending election in the UK, Christian Aid is calling on the next Government to introduce legislation to tackle the debt crisis, including in Kenya to: