At Least 5 Protesters Killed, Over 50 Injured as Police Open Fire on Demonstrators Storming Kenya's Parliament

Kenya's capital city, Nairobi, was thrown into chaos on Tuesday as protesters attempted to storm the parliament building, resulting in at least five deaths and over 50 injuries. The demonstrations were sparked by the government's proposed finance bill, which aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes to alleviate the country's heavy debt load .

As lawmakers inside the parliament building passed the bill, protesters overwhelmed police and chased them away in an attempt to enter the compound. Police responded with tear gas and water cannons, but eventually opened fire when these measures failed to disperse the crowds. A Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament, while a paramedic reported that at least 10 had been shot dead.

Why it Matters : The protests in Kenya are not just about the proposed tax bill; they are a symptom of a deeper economic crisis that has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, droughts, and currency depreciation. The government's decision to raise taxes has sparked widespread outrage, with many Kenyans feeling that they are being forced to bear the burden of the country's economic woes. The protests have also taken on a political dimension, with many calling for President William Ruto to resign.

The situation in Kenya is being closely monitored by the international community, with the White House urging calm and ambassadors from several countries, including Britain, the U.S., and Germany, expressing deep concern over the violence. The internet was also disrupted across the country, with internet monitor Netblocks reporting severe outages.

In addition to the protests in Nairobi, clashes and demonstrations were reported in several other cities and towns across Kenya, including Eldoret, Mombasa, Kisumu, and Garissa. The protests have been led by a youth-led movement that has no official leader, making it difficult for the government to negotiate with them.

Key Takeaways :

• At least 5 protesters were killed and over 50 injured as police opened fire on demonstrators trying to storm Kenya's parliament building.
• The protests were sparked by the government's proposed finance bill, which aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes.
• The situation in Kenya is being closely monitored by the international community, with the White House urging calm.
• The protests have taken on a political dimension, with many calling for President William Ruto to resign.
• The economic crisis in Kenya has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, droughts, and currency depreciation.