At least five people were killed during street protests in Kenya’s capital on Tuesday, as police responded with gunfire to demonstrators opposing a new tax proposal.
Human rights groups reported that thousands of protesters had stormed Kenya’s Parliament, setting part of it ablaze.
According to a statement by the Kenya Medical Association and several NGOs, the violence resulted in five fatalities and 31 injuries.
Amnesty Kenya reported on X that “5 people have been shot dead while treating the injured. 31 people have been injured. 13 have been shot with live bullets, 4 with rubber bullets and 3 people have been hit with launcher canisters. 11 have minor injuries.”
The demonstration, led by the youth, saw thousands gathering in Nairobi to urge lawmakers to reject the tax bill amid a cost-of-living crisis.
However, the bill was passed, prompting some legislators to flee the chamber as protesters breached the Parliament complex. The building was set on fire in parts.
Police eventually dispersed the crowd using tear gas and gunfire, with lawmakers being evacuated through underground tunnels, as reported by local media.
Despite government assurances that the right to assembly would be protected, the protests escalated into violence.
“Despite the assurance by the government that the right to assembly would be protected and facilitated, today’s protests have spiraled into violence,” the human rights groups stated.
President William Ruto condemned the protests as “treasonous,” asserting that the debate on tax increases had been “hijacked by dangerous people” and emphasizing that the security of Kenyans remained his “utmost priority.”
Police resorted to using live ammunition after tear gas and water cannons failed to disperse the protesters.
The army was deployed to assist in controlling the situation, described by Defence Minister Aden Duale as a “security emergency” due to the “destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure.”
Al Jazeera’s Malcolm Webb, reporting from outside Parliament, described seeing “the body of a young man who was carrying a Kenyan flag” with “a bullet hole right in the centre of his forehead.” Webb also observed uniformed police and plainclothes security operators shooting into the crowds.
Internet monitor NetBlocks reported significant disruption to the country’s internet service amid the police crackdown.
UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, expressed deep concern over the violence, with his spokesman noting the reports of deaths and injuries, including those of journalists and medical personnel.
“He’s very much saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries, including journalists and medical personnel,” spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a briefing.
Tuesday marked the third round of protests against the bill, following two deaths in the previous week’s demonstrations.
The protests, largely led by young activists, were sparked by the second tax hike in two years under Ruto’s administration, which many feared would exacerbate the cost of essential items like diapers and sanitary towels.
Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi highlighted the unprecedented and spontaneous nature of the protests, noting that most participants were teenagers or in their early 20s, fighting against corruption and for their future.
Reporting from the capital, Nairobi, Al Jazeera’s Zein Basravi noted that the protests are not politically led. “These are unprecedented protests, they’re spontaneous,” he said.
“We’ve seen that the majority of the people who are out here are teens or in their early 20s. We’ve been speaking to them and they say what they are fighting for is their future,” he continued. “They say that they are here to fight corruption and they want freedom.”
Similar protests occurred in other cities and towns across Kenya, with many calling for Ruto’s resignation.
Parliament advanced the finance bill to a third reading, after which it will be sent to the president, who can either sign it or send it back with objections.
The Nairobi governor’s office, located near Parliament and belonging to a member of the ruling party, was briefly set on fire but extinguished by police water cannons.
Amendments to the bill, which eliminated some of the more severe proposals, such as a bread tax, did not appease the protesters.
“Everyone is coming out because we’re tired,” 28-year-old protester Hanifa Farsafi told Al Jazeera. “People are tired and unemployed and they keep pushing these punitive taxes.”
Protesters voiced their anger, chanting, “We’re coming for every politician!”
In Kisumu, protesters attempted to reach State House, the president’s residence, but were blocked by police units.
Although Ruto had praised previous peaceful protests and promised government engagement, amendments to the bill did not placate the demonstrators.
