At least five people were killed and dozens injured on Tuesday when Kenyan police fired on protesters attempting to storm the parliament in Nairobi during demonstrations against a proposed tax increase.
“A section of the parliament is on fire,” one source told JURIST from the scene.
“Multiple people are said to have been shot and killed near parliament,” JURIST Senior Kenya correspondent Aynsley Genga said. She relayed reports of multiple police abductions and claims of live bullets being used in multiple parts of Kenya’s capital city. She noted that the live feed of parliamentary proceedings on the controversial bill Finance Bill had stopped for nearly 30 minutes, leading to speculation about what was happening in parliament.
Security forces resorted to live ammunition after tear gas and water cannons failed to disperse the crowd, which had overwhelmed the police and caused significant damage, including setting part of the parliament building ablaze. The protesters, voicing their opposition to the tax hikes and calling for President William Ruto‘s resignation, clashed with police in multiple cities across the country.
In a national address, President Ruto condemned the violence, describing it as orchestrated by criminal elements under the guise of peaceful protest. He emphasized that maintaining security and upholding the rule of law were top priorities, and pledged a firm response to what he termed “treasonous actions.”
Defense Minister Aden Duale announced the deployment of the military to assist police in managing what he called a “security emergency.”
Condemning what it described as a contravention of international laws and standards, the Kenya Medical Association, confirmed that at least five people had died and dozens were injured, some by live bullets.
The protests, initially peaceful, turned violent as demonstrators demanded the withdrawal of the 2024 Finance Bill, which seeks to raise $2.7 billion to address Kenya’s heavy debt burden. Despite government concessions to scrap some proposed taxes, the public outcry has intensified, driven by the economic hardships many Kenyans face.
International observers, including the United States and European countries, expressed deep concern over the violence and urged restraint from all sides. Internet services were disrupted across Kenya amid the chaos, with the leading network operator attributing it to technical issues.
Opposition leaders have called for President Ruto to step down, criticizing the government’s handling of the situation and the proposed tax policies. The unrest highlights the significant economic and political challenges facing the country as it grapples with multiple crises.
A third JURIST correspondent reported that he was unable to return home after covering the protests due to roadblocks set up across Nairobi.
