The Kenyan capital has been thrown into chaos amid unrest over tax hikes, with fires breaking out in the country’s parliament and police opening live fire on angry crowds of protesters.
Thousands of anti-tax protesters broke through a barricade set up by police outside the parliament building in Nairobi, forcing lawmakers to flee quickly.
Ten people have been killed in violent clashes, with police firing on anti-government protesters. Paramedics have reported that the shooting left at least 50 people injured.
Video shows smoke rising from part of the government building as a crowd swarmed through a gate, with projectiles also seen being thrown.
Protesters stormed the complex where lawmakers were debating a controversial tax hike proposal that sparked outrage.
Police officers and Kenyan security personnel take positions to protect the Kenyan Parliament
A protester hurls tear gas canisters at police during a strike to protest tax increases in Kenya
Flames rise from the parliament building during a demonstration against Kenya’s proposed finance bill in Nairobi, Kenya, June 25
Masked demonstrators hold empty ammunition shells used by police during protests against proposed tax increases
Protesters are under police water cannon as they try to disperse them with chemically treated water jets next to an advertisement featuring a photo of Kenyan President William Ruto
Protesters ran for cover outside Kenya’s Parliament after storming the building during a national strike
A burning military vehicle outside Parliament during a protest against tax hikes in Nairobi
Protesters were pictured storming the senate after entering the parliament building
Medics set up temporary shelters for emergency response in various cities with supplies donated by Kenyans. Two people were killed in small-scale protests last week.
The latest round of protests today came as lawmakers voted on a finance bill that would introduce new taxes, including an environmental levy that would raise the price of items like towels and nappies.
The proposal for a bread tax was dropped after public outcry, but protesters are still calling on Parliament not to pass the bill.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission on Tuesday shared a video of officers shooting at protesters and said they would be held accountable.
The commission wrote in X that said to President William Ruto: ‘The world sees your descent into tyranny!
‘Your regime’s actions are an attack on democracy. All those involved in the shooting – active or passive – must be held accountable.’
Kenya Law Society president Faith Odhiambo on Tuesday said 50 Kenyans, including her personal assistant, had been ‘kidnapped’ by people believed to be police officers. He said there were incidents of extrajudicial killings, police abductions, torture and people were unable to communicate for days.
Some of those missing include those who have been vocal in the ongoing demonstrations and were expelled from their homes, workplaces and public spaces during Tuesday’s protests, according to civil society groups.
Police officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Kenyan riot police operate near the country’s parliament during protests against a proposed tax hike
Protesters fled the Kenyan Parliament complex during deadly clashes with police
Demonstrators react as police use water cannons during protests against proposed tax increases
Demonstrators use brooms to repel tear gas canisters
Thousands have joined today’s demonstration in Nairobi
Thousands of protesters broke through police barricades and entered the parliament complex
Police prepare to fire tear gas at protesters during a protest against a proposed tax hike
Angry protesters slammed the country’s President William Ruto
Speaker of Parliament Moses Wetangula on Tuesday ordered the inspector general of police to provide information on the whereabouts of opposition figures abducted by the police.
Ruto on Sunday said he was proud of the youths who had come out to do their democratic duty and said he would engage the youths on their concerns. Ruto is outside the capital attending an African Union retreat.
Unrest continues in the state over the controversial tax bill even as some of the proposed hikes were scrapped.
Among the scrapped tax increases there is a proposed 16 percent VAT on bread, as well as proposed taxes on motor vehicles, vegetable oil and mobile money transfers, the chairman of the Finance and National Planning Committee of Kenya.
Kenyan Police officers kicked tear gas canisters during a national strike to protest against tax hikes
Police officers fired tear gas at protesters during a protest against a proposed tax increase
Anti-government protesters waved Kenyan flags as police fired tear gas at them
A protester holds a Kenyan flag as police use water cannons and tear gas to disperse the protesters
“When we embarked on public participation in the 2024 finance bill, we promised that public participation would not be a futile exercise. We have listened to the views of Kenyans,” said Kuria Kimani in a speech last week.
The changes in the finance bill were driven by ‘the need to protect Kenyans from the increased cost of living,’ Kimani said.
But today’s dramatic scenes highlight how many are dissatisfied with the government’s actions.
The measures have failed to allay fears that tax hikes will exacerbate the country’s cost-of-living crisis.
