On Tuesday, protestors attempting to seige Kenya’s parliamentary building were met with violent resistance from law enforcement, resulting in the death of at least five individuals and injuring multiple others. The attack led to parts of the legislative structure being alight. In the midst of the chaos, members of parliament inside sanctioned an increase in tax rates.
The protestors had overpowered the law enforcement and drove them out in an ambitious attempt to seige the parliamentary compound. Fire erupted from within the building in response. Authorities used gunfire as a means to control the crowd after efforts using tear gas and water cannons failed.
Five deceased protestors were documented outside the legislature by a Reuters reporter, while a first responder, named Vivian Achista, mentioned that a minimum of ten deaths were caused by gunfire. Another paramedic, Richard Ngumo, confirmed that over fifty individuals had been injured due to the firing, while he was assisting two wounded protestors into an ambulance stationed outside the premises.
One enraged protestor, Davis Tafari, claimed their intention was to terminate the parliament’s operation and enforce the MPs’ resignation leading to the formation of a new government. Eventually, the police successfully ousted the protestors from the site, amidst clouds of tear gas and firearm noise. The MPs were securely evacuated through subterranean passages, as reported by regional news outlets.
Public unrest and conflict were also reported in multiple cities and towns across Kenya, with the majority demanding the President, William Ruto, to resign whilst simultaneously opposing the tax increment. Despite the conflict, the parliament passed the finance bill, pushing it forward to the third reading by the MPs. The bill will be dispatched to the president for approval. If there are disagreements, he has the authority to return it to the parliament.
Roughly two years ago, Mr. Ruto secured his presidential position promising to advocate for Kenya’s labouring poor. However, faced with opposing requirements from creditors such as the International Monetary Fund, he is stuck in a crossroad. The IMF has been pushing for deficit reductions for the government to avail more financial support.
Kenyans are grappling economic troubles imposed by multiple factors including, the persistent Covid-19 pandemic, the Ukraine war, two consecutive years of droughts, and currency devaluation. The proposed finance bill aims to contribute an extra $2.7 billion (€2.5 billion) towards taxes, as an endeavour to loosen the massive debt, as interest payment solely consumes 37 per cent of the annual revenue.
The government had previously assured the removal of planned new taxes on products such as bread, cooking oil, motor vehicles and financial activities. However, protestors haven’t been appeased by these gestures. Protests gripped the town on Tuesday in a celebratory spirit but escalated to conflict as the throng increased in size, leading to the police firing tear gas in central Nairobi and the underprivileged area of Kibera. Protestors retaliated by hurling stones at the police linings.
People made attempts to scale the police cars that had come to a halt in the city centre. Tear gas was also used in Eldoret, the home town of Mr Ruto in western Kenya, where the streets teemed with demonstrators and businesses had to cease operations, fearing violence. The coastal city of Mombasa and cities like Kisumu, on Lake Victoria, and Garissa in eastern Kenya, also experienced similar demonstrations, with the police going as far as blocking the major route to Somalia’s port of Kismayu.
While in Nairobi, the masses cheered with chants of “Depart, Ruto” and interpretations of a Swahili tune that asserted: “Everything can be possible without Ruto”. Sounds of music echoed from loudspeakers; flags of Kenya flapped in hands of protesters and whistles pitched through the air before the scene took a violent turn.
The law enforcement didn’t respond to queries seeking comments.
Last week, the streets of Nairobi and numerous other cities witnessed thousands taking charge in a two-day protest as a web-based, youth-led movement gained speed.
These protests, divergent from the typical ones led by political leaders in Kenya, are unique due to the lack of a formal leader and an escalating demand from the young demonstrators.
On Sunday, Ruto lauded the demonstrators, acknowledging their peaceful expression and assuring a dialogue with them to decide the course ahead. While in the beginning protestors were centred on the finance bill, later their stance widened to include Mr Ruto’s resignation.
Conversely, the opposition declined to take part in the voting process in parliament, raising voices of refusal when the products were presented for revoke. This bill is set to undergo a final vote by acclamation.
The finance ministry had warned that amendments would create a financial deficit of 200 billion Kenyan shilling (€1.4 billion) in the 2024/25 budget, thereby forcing the government to slash spending or increase taxes in other areas.
Speaking on the matter, 18-year-old Hussein Ali said, “The government’s planning for the corruption,” adding, “We won’t back off. It’s the government that will have to step back. Not us.”