Kenya Reels as Protests Over Finance Bill Turn Deadly in Nairobi
Kenya is in a state of shock following unprecedented scenes that left parts of Parliament ablaze as protests over a finance bill recommending tax hikes turned deadly, prompting President William Ruto’s government to deploy the military.
The mainly youth-led rallies began largely peacefully last week, with thousands of demonstrators marching in the capital, Nairobi, and across the country to oppose the proposed tax increases. Lawmakers voted to pass the contentious finance bill amidst rising unrest over the cost-of-living crisis in the country.
Tensions escalated on Tuesday as police officers fired live rounds on crowds, who later breached the Parliament building in Nairobi. Rights groups, including the Kenya Medical Association, reported that five people were killed in the violence, with many more injured.
The protests and subsequent violence underscore the deepening frustration among Kenyans over economic hardships and the government’s response to the crisis. As the situation develops, the international community watches closely, concerned about the potential for further instability in the region.