Kenyan President William Ruto emphasized security as his “utmost priority” following violent protests against a proposed tax hike. Demonstrators attempted to storm the legislature in Nairobi, leading to clashes with police that resulted in at least five deaths.
Protesters in Nairobi overwhelmed police forces, damaging the parliament building and setting parts of it on fire. Similar protests and clashes occurred in other cities, with many calling for Ruto’s resignation and opposing the tax increases. In a televised address, Ruto condemned the violence and pledged a swift response to the “treasonous events.”
Police used tear gas and water cannons before resorting to live fire to disperse the crowds. Defence Minister Aden Duale later announced the army’s deployment to assist in managing the “security emergency.”
The Kenya Medical Association reported that at least five people were killed, with 31 injured, including those shot with live and rubber bullets. They urged authorities to protect medical staff and ambulances.
Ruto, who was elected nearly two years ago on a platform supporting Kenya’s working poor, faces pressure from lenders like the International Monetary Fund to reduce deficits while managing the economic challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, droughts, and currency depreciation.
The controversial finance bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes to address Kenya’s heavy debt burden. The bill has passed through parliament and awaits the president’s signature, though opposition leaders have called for its withdrawal and Ruto’s resignation.
International observers, including ambassadors from the US, UK, and Germany, have expressed deep concern over the violence and called for restraint from all sides. The White House has also urged calm, monitoring the situation closely.
The protests began peacefully but escalated as police clashed with demonstrators in Nairobi and other cities like Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Garissa. Internet services were disrupted nationwide, attributed to outages affecting undersea cables, though the exact cause remains unclear.
The youth-led protests, unlike previous movements driven by political leaders, have no official leadership and have expanded their demands beyond the finance bill to include President Ruto’s resignation. Despite some government concessions to cut proposed new taxes on essential goods, protesters remain unsatisfied, determined to continue their campaign against what they see as budget measures favoring corruption.
“We won’t relent. It’s the government that is going to back off. Not us,” declared 18-year-old protester Hussein Ali.
