Police have opened fire on protesters outside Kenya’s parliament as MPs passed legislation to raise taxes, fuelling additional tensions in the country that is already struggling with a severe cost-of-living crisis.
The violence erupted after teargas and water cannons failed to disperse thousands of demonstrators attempting to storm the parliament building. Flames were visible inside the building as the situation escalated. According to a paramedic, at least 10 people were killed, and a Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament.
Protesters are opposing tax hikes in a country and many are also calling for President William Ruto to step down. Protests and clashes have spread to other cities and towns across Kenya.
The recent demonstrations, which began a week ago, are driven largely by youth-led digital activism as young Kenyans have used platforms like X and TikTok to organize, mobilize, and crowdfund the protests against the bill. Last Thursday, one person was killed and at least 200 people were injured in demonstrations nationwide, according to human rights groups and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
Amnesty International reports that at least 12 people suspected of involvement in the protests over the past five days have been abducted. According to reports, Kenyan broadcaster KTN received threats from authorities to shut down due to its coverage of the protests.
Ruto, who won the presidency nearly two years ago on a platform of championing Kenya’s working poor, faces competing demands from international lenders like the International Monetary Fund, urging deficit cuts, and a hard-pressed population suffering from economic shocks. These include the lingering impact of the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, two consecutive years of droughts, and currency depreciation.
Parliament approved the finance bill on Tuesday, moving it to a third reading by lawmakers. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to the president for signing. The bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes to address the country’s heavy debt load, with interest payments consuming 37% of annual revenue. Kenya police open fired on protesters as parliament passes controversial tax bill
By SSZee Media
Police have opened fire on protesters outside Kenya’s parliament as MPs passed legislation to raise taxes, fuelling additional tensions in the country that is already struggling with a severe cost-of-living crisis.
The violence erupted after teargas and water cannons failed to disperse thousands of demonstrators attempting to storm the parliament building. Flames were visible inside the building as the situation escalated. According to a paramedic, at least 10 people were killed, and a Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament.
Protesters are opposing tax hikes in a country and many are also calling for President William Ruto to step down. Protests and clashes have spread to other cities and towns across Kenya.
The recent demonstrations, which began a week ago, are driven largely by youth-led digital activism as young Kenyans have used platforms like X and TikTok to organize, mobilize, and crowdfund the protests against the bill. Last Thursday, one person was killed and at least 200 people were injured in demonstrations nationwide, according to human rights groups and the Independent Policing Oversight Authority.
Amnesty International reports that at least 12 people suspected of involvement in the protests over the past five days have been abducted. According to reports, Kenyan broadcaster KTN received threats from authorities to shut down due to its coverage of the protests.
Ruto, who won the presidency nearly two years ago on a platform of championing Kenya’s working poor, faces competing demands from international lenders like the International Monetary Fund, urging deficit cuts, and a hard-pressed population suffering from economic shocks. These include the lingering impact of the Covid pandemic, the war in Ukraine, two consecutive years of droughts, and currency depreciation.
Parliament approved the finance bill on Tuesday, moving it to a third reading by lawmakers. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to the president for signing. The bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes to address the country’s heavy debt load, with interest payments consuming 37% of annual revenue.
The opposition leader Raila Odinga released a statement demanding immediate withdrawal of the bill, said, “I am disturbed at the murders, arrests, detentions, and surveillance being perpetrated by police on boys and girls who are only seeking to be heard over taxation policies that are stealing both their present and future.”
The Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video of police shooting at protesters and said, “The world is watching your descent into tyranny! Your regime’s actions are an assault on democracy. All those involved in the shooting – actively or passively – must be held to account.”
The opposition leader Raila Odinga released a statement demanding immediate withdrawal of the bill, said, “I am disturbed at the murders, arrests, detentions, and surveillance being perpetrated by police on boys and girls who are only seeking to be heard over taxation policies that are stealing both their present and future.”
The Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video of police shooting at protesters and said, “The world is watching your descent into tyranny! Your regime’s actions are an assault on democracy. All those involved in the shooting – actively or passively – must be held to account.”
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