NAIROBI, Kenya. Chaos engulfed Kenya’s capital on Tuesday as thousands of protesters stormed the parliament building in Nairobi, setting parts of it ablaze and forcing legislators to flee, marking one of the most direct challenges to the government in decades. Journalists witnessed scenes of unrest with at least three bodies seen outside the complex where police had opened fire.
The protests erupted in response to a new finance bill that proposes additional taxes in a country known as East Africa’s economic hub, where frustrations over the high cost of living have long simmered. Despite vehement opposition, lawmakers voted to pass the bill before evacuating through a tunnel as protesters, predominantly youth, breached security to enter parliament. Protesters reportedly allowed opposition legislators who voted against the bill to leave the besieged building unharmed, and firefighters later extinguished the flames.
Amid the escalating turmoil, one protester killed was wrapped in the Kenyan flag, symbolizing the depth of discontent among demonstrators. The unrest quickly spread to other parts of the country, underscoring the widespread dissatisfaction.
Kenya’s government initially offered no immediate comment as internet service noticeably slowed across the country. President William Ruto, who was attending an African Union retreat outside Nairobi, was expected to sign the finance bill into law within the week, with a two-week window to act.
Meanwhile, near parliament, the office of Nairobi’s governor, a member of the ruling party, was briefly engulfed in flames, prompting police to deploy water cannons to douse the fire. Protesters chanted, “We’re coming for every politician,” reflecting their anger and determination.
In response to the protests, police resorted to firing live ammunition and tear gas canisters, targeting demonstrators seeking medical aid at a church-based medical tent near the parliament complex. Kenyatta National Hospital reported receiving 45 victims, though their conditions were not immediately disclosed.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission condemned the police actions, sharing footage of officers shooting at protesters and demanding accountability. The commission urged President Ruto to intervene immediately to halt the violence.
Amid these domestic challenges, hundreds of Kenyan police officers, accused in the past of human rights abuses, recently deployed to Haiti as part of a UN-backed multinational force to combat local gangs, despite legal challenges in Kenya.
President Ruto attempted to defuse tensions earlier in the week, expressing pride in the youth for their civic engagement and promising dialogue on their concerns. However, frustrations have mounted over soaring fuel prices and other necessities, exacerbating inequality and discontent across the nation.
As protests intensified in Nairobi, similar demonstrations erupted in other cities like Nakuru and Embu, where protesters attempted to storm government buildings and burned ruling party offices, according to local media reports. Police clashes were also reported in Nyeri.
Media freedom has come under threat amidst the unrest, with broadcasters like KTN facing government pressure to cease coverage of the protests. Civil society groups have raised alarms about alleged police abductions of activists and demonstrators, with reports of disappearances increasing.
Parliament Speaker Moses Wetangula has demanded answers from the inspector general of police regarding the whereabouts of those reportedly abducted, amid calls for transparency and accountability.
Gary P Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
