Questioned live by the American channel CNN, Auma Obama, the half-sister of the former American president, received tear gas while she participated in the third day of mobilization in Nairobi.
During an anti-government demonstration organized in Nairobi, Kenya, this Tuesday, June 25, Auma Obama, the half-sister of former American President Barack Obama, was subjected to tear gas, interrupting an interview given to the American channel CNN.
For more than a week, Kenya has been gripped by protests following the announcement of the 2024-2025 draft budget. It provides for the introduction of new criticized taxes. The youth, strongly mobilized around a movement called “Occupy Parliament”, are demanding the pure and simple withdrawal of this new finance bill from the government of President William Ruto.
“I can’t even see anymore.”
In a video posted on Facebook, the woman can be seen answering questions from the CNN journalist before starting to cough, disturbed by the surrounding tear gas. “Young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights. They are demonstrating with flags and banners,” Auma Obama said.
“I can’t even see anymore. They are being sprayed with tear gas,” she warned, before crouching on the ground.
This Tuesday, the third day of anti-government mobilization led by youth, was punctuated by clashes after demonstrators advanced into an area housing several official buildings such as Parliament, the Supreme Court and even Nairobi town hall.
The demonstrators then forced the police barriers to enter the enclosure where the deputies had just approved the amendments to the text, which must be voted on by June 30. Authorities are currently reporting one death.
