5 Dead, Scores Injured As Kenyans Protests Against ‘New Imposed Taxes’
Osabuohien Vivian Rose
Protesters in Kenya are demanding that legislators vote against the controversial bill imposing new taxes on a country already plagued with frustrations over the high cost of living for years.
Protesters in Kenya have been shot dead and fires started inside parliament after politicians voted in favour of a controversial tax bill.
The Kenya Medical Association said at least five people had been killed and 31 injured.
Images from the scene appeared to show a number of motionless bodies on the ground.
Paramedics at the scene said earlier they believed at least 10 people had been killed and around 50 Injured.
It happened as police opened fire when protesters in Nairobi overwhelmed them and entered the parliament compound.
Thousands were on the streets of the capital on Tuesday to demand politicians vote against the new taxes.
Video from inside parliament showed tables and chairs overturned and smashed, while footage outside showed fires, tear gas and water cannon.
Protesters could be heard shouting “We’re coming for every politician” and some lawmakers were forced to flee parliament through a tunnel.
The office of Nairobi’s governor was also set ablaze and unrest was reported in other towns and cities.
Kenya’s army has been deployed to help deal with what the defence minister called a “security emergency”.
The country’s president, William Ruto, said the protests were “treasonous” and the debate over the new law had been “hijacked by dangerous people”.
He said such violence would not happen again “at whatever cost”.
Mr Ruto must now sign off the law – but can still send it back to parliament if he has objections.
The US has called for calm and said it’s monitoring the situation, while Britain and Germany also expressed deep concern and urged restraint on both sides.
The bill will introduce new taxes, including an eco-levy raising the price of goods like period products and nappies.
Proposals to tax bread, cooking oil, car ownership and financial transactions were removed after a public outcry – with many Kenyans angry over the rising cost of living in the East African country.
There have been protests at every reading of the bill, with Tuesday being the third and final round.
Former US President Barack Obama’s half-sister, the Kenyan-British activist Auma Obama, was teargassed during a live interview about the situation with CNN.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video of police shooting at protesters and said they must be held to account.
Addressing President Ruto, the commission wrote on social media: “The world is watching your descent into tyranny! Your regime’s actions is an assault on democracy.
“All those involved in the shooting – actively or passively – must be held to account.”
The president had earlier said he wanted to have dialogue with the protesters and was “proud” of them.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga called for the bill to be immediately withdrawn.
Security forces have been accused of abducting prominent Kenyans, especially those with large social media followings.
The Kenya Law Society president, Faith Odhiambo, said 50 Kenyans, including her personal assistant, had been “abducted” by people believed to be police.
Broadcaster KTN News said authorities had threatened to shut it down over its coverage of the protests, while internet services also experienced severe disruptions during the unrest, according to internet monitor Netblocks.
The protests come as around 200 Kenyan police landed in Haiti as part of a UN-backed contingent hoping to stabilise the country after months of unrest and gang violence.
