Kenyan President William Ruto pledged a firm stance against “violence and anarchy” on Tuesday after protests against proposed tax hikes turned deadly, leading to the ransacking of the parliament building.
What began as mostly peaceful demonstrations by youth against the government’s tax plans escalated into chaos in Nairobi. Protesters threw stones at police, breached barricades, and stormed the parliament grounds. Police responded with tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and, according to a rights group, live ammunition. Five people were killed and 31 were injured, reported several NGOs, including Amnesty Kenya, in a joint statement.
“We shall provide a full, effective, and expeditious response to today’s treasonous events,” President Ruto declared at a press briefing in Nairobi. He condemned the violent turn of the protests, stating, “It is inconceivable that criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people, their elected representatives, and the institutions established under our constitution and expect to go scot-free.”
“The planners, financiers, orchestrators, and abetters of violence and anarchy are hereby put on notice,” he added.
The unrest led to a significant international response, with the United States appealing for calm and 13 Western nations, including Canada, Germany, and Britain, expressing shock at the violence outside parliament. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his “deep concern” over the violence and “saddened” by the reported deaths and injuries.
Amid the protests, demonstrators voiced their frustrations over rising costs and proposed tax increases. Elizabeth Nyaberi, a 26-year-old lawyer participating in the protests, said, “This is the voice of the young people of Kenya. They are tear gassing us, but we don’t care. We are here to speak for our generations and the generations to come.”
As the military was deployed to support police efforts, images from local media showed the aftermath of the parliament breach, including ransacked rooms, smashed windows, and vandalized cars. In addition, a fire was reported at the governor’s office in Nairobi City Hall, just meters from parliament.
The opposition coalition, Azimio, accused the government of using “brute force” against protesters, condemning the use of live ammunition. “Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs, and a listening ear,” the coalition said in a statement.
Amnesty International’s Kenya chapter criticized the government’s handling of the protests, noting, “The pattern of policing protests is deteriorating fast,” and urged respect for the right to assembly. The Kenya Human Rights Commission accused authorities of abducting protesters, a claim that has yet to be addressed by police.
