Kenya has been left reeling after protests against a finance bill proposing tax hikes turned violent, resulting in deaths and prompting the government to deploy the military. Demonstrations, initially peaceful, erupted in chaos, leading to parts of the Parliament building being set ablaze in Nairobi.
Youth-led rallies began last week, with thousands marching in Nairobi and other cities to oppose the tax increases. Despite the unrest, lawmakers passed the controversial finance bill, intensifying public outrage over the country’s cost-of-living crisis.
Tensions peaked on Tuesday when police fired live rounds at protesters who breached the Parliament building, resulting in five deaths and over 30 injuries, according to rights groups, including the Kenya Medical Association. Defence Minister Aden Bare Duale later announced the deployment of the army to address the “security emergency.”
In a late-night briefing, President William Ruto condemned the violence and compared some demonstrators to “criminals,” vowing a stringent response to the “anarchy.” The government was caught off guard by the vehement opposition to its tax proposals, culminating in the unprecedented and televised storming of Parliament.
Footage showed crowds breaking through barricades, ransacking Parliament, and setting furniture on fire. As police confronted the angry mobs, leaving several bodies on the ground, protest organizers urged people to walk home together and stay safe.
While other rallies in Kenyan cities remained mostly peaceful earlier in the day, the violence in Nairobi marked a significant escalation. Internet services also experienced major disruptions, with global monitor NetBlocks reporting a “major disruption” before access was restored overnight.
Nairobi is now bracing for more protests in the coming days.
