Concert held in Kenya to pay tribute to anti-tax hike protest victims

Hundreds of Kenyan youth attended a concert in Nairobi on Sunday honoring those who lost their lives in the recent anti-tax hike protests across the country.

The protests, predominantly led by the Gen-Z demonstrators, began in cities and towns across the country after the Finance Bill 2024 was introduced in parliament on June 18. The young protesters expressed outrage over provisions of the bill that would raise taxes on goods and services that many people depend on, such as bread and mobile money transfers, to meet the government's revenue targets.

The Kenya National Commission on Human Rights reported that at least 39 people died as violent force was administered against the protests, though local activists claimed the number is 41, citing two additional deaths.

After three weeks of protests, the public gathered in Nairobi on Sunday for a different purpose: to commemorate those killed during the unrest. Kenyan artists performed music as crowds waved the national flag in tribute to the dead. The concert began with the national anthem, followed by performances from a group of Kenyan artists.

Steven Onyango, a Nairobi resident, attended the concert to honor a friend who died during the demonstrations. "I wasn't at the protests that day, but he came and suffered a gunshot wound and he died. We just buried him last Friday," he said.

Some attended to remember protesters they may not have known personally but felt connected to.

"I didn't really know them well, but some I had run into. This is their special day that we have set aside to remember them," said Evans Kibet, another Nairobi of resident.

"These are some of the people we were on the journey with, unfortunately some lost their lives, and we feel that it's only fair if we are able to come together and have a remembrance," said James Chege, a young attendee.

At the concert site, people carried wooden crosses bearing the names of the deceased, a poignant reminder of their loss.

Kenyan President William Ruto on June 26 announced that his government had dropped the controversial tax hike proposals.

On Friday, following the protests, Ruto held a live conversation with the public through the X Spaces platform. During the session he promised to take measures to address a number of grievances.

Concert held in Kenya to pay tribute to anti-tax hike protest victims

China has seen a tourism boom in the first five days of the week-long National Day holiday, as people seize the opportunity to embrace natural and cultural attractions nationwide.

From Oct 1 to 5, Beijing received 20.5392 million tourists, including 10.8615 million tourists from other Chinese cities and 46,800 inbound tourists. Key scenic spots of the Chinese capital, including the Wangfujing Street, the Temple of Heaven Park, the Summer Palace, Nanluoguxiang, and Badaling Great Wall, were crowded with people during the holiday.

In east China's Jiangxi Province, many tourists choose to climb mountains, or walk into the countryside to feel the charm of nature. In the first five days of the National Day holiday, Sanqingshan Scenic Area, a world natural heritage site in the province's Shangrao City, received more than 600,000 tourists, an increase of 25.6 percent over last year.

"The scenery, stones and mountains are just like traditional Chinese ink paintings, with a particularly beautiful artistic conception," said Liu Hao, a tourist.

While waiting to enter the park at the foot of the mountain, tourists watched the She people's performances with rich ethnic minority style, and the children enthusiastically participated in colorful games.

"Although there are a lot of people, everyone line up in an orderly manner and there are places to sit," said Zou Wenhao, another tourist.

As of Sunday, the total number of visitors to the Mount Taishan, a UNESCO world heritage site in east China's Shandong Province, has exceeded 7 million this year. From Oct. 2 to 5, the number of tourists at the scenic spot exceeded 73,000 per day for four consecutive days, and the number reached a peak of 82,000 on Oct. 3.

Tourists can not only enjoy the beautiful scenery of Mount Taishan, but also taste various delicious food such as Taishan fried chicken and sweet and sour Yellow River carp in the nearby food street.

Chinese cities enjoy tourism boom during National Day holiday