
Five people were killed as protesters stormed Kenya’s parliament : During protests against proposed tax hikes in Kenya on June 25. Demonstrators breached barricades and entered the parliamentary complex, where a fire erupted. Police responded with gunfire, resulting in five deaths and 31 injuries. Lawmakers were debating a contentious bill with tax hike proposals that had sparked public outrage. The rallies, led primarily by the youth, began last week and caught the government off guard. Over the weekend, President William Ruto expressed his willingness to engage in dialogue with the protesters.
Five people were killed as protesters stormed Kenya’s parliament. Tensions escalated sharply on June 25 as crowds clashed with police. Throwing stones and pushing against barricades to reach the parliament complex, which was heavily guarded by riot police. As lawmakers debated a controversial bill proposing tax hikes, police fired on the masses gathered outside the building .
The Kenya Human Rights
Commission reported on X that police had shot four protesters, resulting in one fatality. Amnesty International Kenya’s executive director. Irungu Houghton, informed AFP of the increasing use of live bullets by the National Police Service in Nairobi. He emphasized the urgent need for safe passage for medical personnel to treat the many wounded.
Cost-of-living crisis
Anger over the cost-of-living crisis ignited nationwide rallies last week, with demonstrators demanding the scrapping of the finance bill. Despite a heavy police presence, thousands of protesters marched through Nairobi’s business district, pushing through barricades towards parliament. According to AFP journalists, police in full riot gear responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.
Protesters, many livestreaming the action, sang, chanted, and beat drums as they advanced. Crowds also marched in the port city of Mombasa. The opposition stronghold of Kisumu, and President Ruto’s base in Eldoret, as shown on Kenyan TV channels.
Growing protests
The Independent Policing Oversight Authority and various rights groups reported that two people died following the June 20 protests in Nairobi. Amnesty International Kenya and other organizations stated that at least 200 people were injured in last week’s demonstrations.
Amnesty International Kenya expressed concern on June 25, noting on X that “the pattern of policing protests is deteriorating fast. Urging the government to respect the right to assembly. On June 24, the rights body warned that Kenya was “at a crossroads.” Emphasizing that despite mass arrests and injuries, the protests continued to grow, highlighting widespread public discontent. They cautioned that the escalation of force could result in more fatalities and legal repercussions.
Rights watchdogs have accused authorities of abducting protesters. Claiming these abductions occurred mostly at night, carried out by police officers in civilian clothes and unmarked cars. Police have not responded to the AFP’s requests for comment on these allegations.
Protesters have also employed unconventional tactics, such as asking bars to stop playing music at midnight on weekends. Prompting partygoers to chant “Ruto must go” and “Reject the finance bill.” Their demonstrations have garnered support from some Anglican and Catholic church leaders.
Kenya’s debt mountain
The cash-strapped government agreed last week to roll back several tax increases but still plans to raise others. Arguing that these measures are necessary to replenish state coffers and reduce reliance on external borrowing. Kenya’s debt has surged, with the depreciation of the local currency over the past two years making foreign-currency loan interest payments more expensive.