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Kenyan President Vows To Prevent Violence ‘At Whatever Cost’ Amid Deadly Protests

Kenyan President William Ruto has vowed to prevent future violence following deadly protests over a tax hike bill. Demonstrators breached Parliament in Nairobi, resulting in at least five deaths and multiple injuries.

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Aqsa Younas Rana
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Police fired live ammunition on protesters attempting to storm the Kenyan parliament building.

Following violent protests over a new tax hike bill, Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged to prevent further unrest "at whatever cost."

Kenyan President William Ruto has vowed to prevent future violence "at whatever cost" following deadly protests in Nairobi. Demonstrators breached Parliament to protest the passage of a bill raising taxes on many basics, leading to a chaotic scene that left at least five people dead, according to Amnesty International and several civic organizations.

In a stark address to the nation, President Ruto characterized the protests as a "grave threat" to Kenya's security. “Today, Kenya experienced an unprecedented attack on its democracy, rule of law, and the integrity of its constitutional institutions,” he said. In response, Ruto deployed the military to crack down on what he termed "treasonous" protesters.

Why This Matters: The protests erupted after the Kenyan Parliament passed a contentious finance bill that included significant tax hikes on essential goods. Furious demonstrators stormed the Parliament building, climbed through windows, and set fire to the entrance. The police responded with tear gas and live ammunition. Amnesty International and several civic organizations reported at least five deaths from gunshot wounds and over 30 injuries. These figures could not be independently verified.

“Today’s events mark a critical turning point in how we respond to grave threats to our national security,”President Ruto declared. "The government has mobilized all resources at the nation’s disposal to ensure that a situation of this nature will not recur again, at whatever cost.”

Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets around Parliament, some draped in the Kenyan flag, blowing whistles, and chanting for President Ruto's resignation. Videos posted to social media by the independent Kenya Human Rights Commission showed police firing as protesters marched towards them.

The international community has reacted with concern. In a joint statement, ambassadors from 13 Western embassies in Kenya, including the United States, expressed shock at the violence. **“We are deeply concerned by the scenes of violence and urge all parties to exercise restraint and engage in dialogue,”** the statement read.

The turmoil over the finance bill has shaken Kenya, an East African economic powerhouse with a population of 54 million that has long been a beacon of stability in a tumultuous region. Protests over the bill have been widespread, with at least one person killed and 200 others injured in demonstrations across the country last week, according to Amnesty International.

Key Takeaways:

  • Kenya's President vows to prevent future violence “at whatever cost.”
  • Deadly protests over tax hikes lead to at least five deaths.
  • Military deployed to address "treasonous" protesters and restore order.
  • International community expresses shock and calls for restraint.
  • Kenya's stability shaken by protests over the contentious finance bill.

Kenya Protest