Kenya is currently experiencing significant unrest following President William Ruto's refusal to sign a controversial finance bill. The draft law, which has sparked widespread protests, was returned to Parliament for amendments. Demonstrators have been demanding the complete repeal of the bill and the resignation of President Ruto.
The protests have turned violent, resulting in the deaths of at least 23 people. Police have been using live ammunition and tear gas to control the crowds, leading to further casualties. The general morgue in Nairobi received six bodies, while Kenyatta National Hospital admitted two more bodies and 160 injured individuals.
The protests escalated dramatically when demonstrators stormed the Kenyan Parliament building, setting it on fire. Lawmakers had to escape through an underground channel to the nearby Bunge Towers. The ceremonial mace, a symbol of authority, was stolen during the chaos.
The government has declared a security emergency and ordered the deployment of the military to assist the police in maintaining order. Despite this, there were no reports of troops on the streets of Nairobi as of Wednesday.
The finance bill, which includes tax measures aimed at reducing the budget deficit, has been a point of contention. While some tax increases on essential goods like bread and cooking oil were removed, other increases were introduced. The bill's approval by the national assembly was the trigger for the protests.
President Ruto, who won the elections nearly two years ago with a platform supporting the working poor, now faces the challenge of balancing the demands of international lenders like the International Monetary Fund and the needs of a population struggling with the high cost of living.
- The protests have not been limited to Nairobi. Thousands of supporters have taken to the streets in dozens of towns and cities across Kenya. The demonstrators had previously distributed an agenda calling for the occupation of Parliament on Tuesday and the presidential headquarters on Thursday.
- The high number of casualties has drawn condemnation from various human rights organizations. The Kenya Commission for Human Rights (Knhrc) reported that 22 people were killed in the Githurai suburb of Nairobi alone, marking the highest number of victims in a single day of protests in the country's history.
- Residents in affected areas have reported that tear gas has filled their homes, forcing them to evacuate. The sounds of gunshots have been heard late into the night, adding to the sense of fear and uncertainty.
- The protests have also led to significant property damage. The Governor's office in Nairobi was set on fire, with live images showing people carrying furniture out of the building. The police have been overwhelmed, with twenty officers injured and a police vehicle burned in the Githurai clashes.
