At least eight people were shot and killed in Kenya on Tuesday as riot police clashed with anti-tax protesters in Nairobi, according to local media reports. The unrest erupted in response to the government’s controversial finance bill, which has sparked widespread public anger.
The owners of Kenya showed up and IMF and Ruto took off. What an unceremonious end to a bloody sellout. Viva Kenya! #RejectTheFinanceBill pic.twitter.com/fY66Es7uT0
— J. C. Okechukwu (@jcokechukwu) June 25, 2024
Local news outlet KTN News published videos showing officers firing gunshots to disperse a crowd attempting to storm the National Assembly. The lawmakers inside were in the process of passing a finance bill that introduced several contentious taxes.
Reuters also reported that its correspondent counted at least five bodies outside the parliament after police opened fire. Prior to the shooting, tear gas and water cannons had been deployed but failed to quell the demonstrators.
Why are the authorities in Kenya shooting at young protesters in 2024? Why use live bullets & teargas on the young? What is wrong with William Ruto?
Like EndSARS Protests in Nigeria in 2020, the young in Kenya are out on the streets, protesting. They said NO to a controversial… pic.twitter.com/gEQklbBb8j
— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) June 25, 2024
The Kenya Human Rights Commission has condemned the police’s use of lethal force. In a statement on X (formerly Twitter), the NGO said it witnessed the police shooting four people, resulting in one death.
“We strongly condemn the police killing. Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a grave violation of human rights. Justice and accountability are imperative. We will vigorously push for police accountability,”
the NGO declared.
Multiple reports indicate that the protesters overwhelmed the police presence and breached the legislature, setting a section of it on fire. A police vehicle was also torched, as reported by local daily The Star.
🔸️𝐓𝐨𝐩 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 | Nairobi – Widespread protests continue in Kenya as protesters set alight administrative and government buildings. The Kenyans are protesting against high taxes and poor governance under Kenyan President, William Ruto. pic.twitter.com/NDam3FOZc9
— The African Perspective (@theafricanptv) June 25, 2024
A protestor identified as Davis Tafari expressed the demonstrators’ determination to Reuters.
“We want to shut down parliament and every MP should go down and resign. We will have a new government,”
Tafari stated.
The protests, predominantly led by young people, began last week in reaction to the government’s 2024 Finance Bill. The bill aims to generate an additional $2.7 billion in taxes to reduce Kenya’s budget deficit.
Protesters have been urging MPs to retract the proposed tax hikes, which include an annual 2.5% tax on car ownership and a 16% tax on bread. The bread tax was subsequently removed from the legislation following public backlash.
Is Twitter Down? Turn Vpn.. We have Occupied the National Assembly (Parliament) Now let’s Go to State house. We must be heard. Thank You Citizen Tv & KTN News For the Detailed coverage. President William Ruto you Better Declare A State Of Emergency. Coup
pic.twitter.com/5pmRxTj2Hv— 🅿🆁🅴🅰🅲🅷🅴🆁🅺🅸🅳 🇰🇪🇬🇧 (@Gregy_Ke) June 25, 2024
Despite the public outcry, lawmakers approved the Finance Bill on Tuesday with 195 votes in favor and 106 against. The legislation now awaits the signature of President William Ruto. In light of the protests, which have already resulted in at least two deaths, Ruto has promised to hold talks to address the youth’s concerns.
