Kenyan Aragalaya turns deadly - Anger over high taxes and cost of living

Colombo (News 1st) - Protests rocked Kenya for a second week, with 26 people killed and hundreds arrested so far in clashes between police and protesters, as crowds vented their anger over the high cost of living and stifling government taxes, foreign media reported.

Three people died in the first three days of this week, adding to 23 killed last week. 

The government of President William Ruto, who was elected 10 months ago on a promise that he would sort out the people's economic hardships, has stood firm in the face of the nationwide protests.

A new tax on petroleum products has driven transport costs and food prices even higher. Scrapping the subsidy on maize flour has worsened the situation.

Talks to jointly sort out the economic mess, between the ruling Kenya Kwanza party and the main opposition Azimio party have also broken down.