Kenya’s critical streets and buildings in the capital Nairobi were on Tuesday thronged by vexed protesters who demanded a total rejection of the Finance Bill 2024.
The day-long nationwide protests turned chaotic after police officers started using teargas and live ammunition to repel the defiant crowd which saw some of the protesters breaching a section of parliament building.
The breach was a few minutes after the lawmakers voted 195 to 106 in favour of the tax bill which protesters argue will exacerbate the cost of living with the proposed punitive taxes in places.
Parliament’s ceremonial mace, which symbolizes the authority of the legislature, was stolen and some parts of the building were vandalized and set on fire.
Outside parliament, two lifeless bodies could be seen after they were caught by stray bullets in the melee.
Parts of City Hall were also torched as protesters walked out with furniture and marched with them in the streets.
Amnesty International and other human rights watch groups say that at least five people were shot dead and 31 were injured but the numbers, however not confirmed, have risen based on the accounts of paramedics and social media posts.
While the uproar of Kenyans filled the streets the globe was also keeping an eye, following the events as they ensued minute by minute.
International media outlets among them CNN, New York Times, Reuters, The Guardian and others alike were also on the ground capturing the unravelling scenes.
The most profound themes the outlets seemed to keep a keen eye on were police brutality and the response from government authorities including President William Ruto.
Also, there was a stark depiction of the culmination of ‘Black Tuesday’ as the abduction of prominent supporters of the protests went mysteriously missing.
“Young Kenyans who have helped to fuel the protests said that their movement transcends class, tribe and race,” reads an excerpt from a publication by NYT.
“A paramedic said at least 10 people had died and a Reuters journalist outside the parliament counted the bodies of at least five protesters,” said the Guardian.
Activists urged protesters to leave the city center at around 6:00 pm with an alarming alert “Go home. While it’s still safe. The government will send goons to destroy, loot and blame peaceful protesters. They must listen to us. Spread the word for people to start walking home in groups. We shall be back.” wrote Boniface Mwangi on his X account.
Public transportation services were not readily available and many were forced to walk home with others.
In a joint statement, the ambassadors of 13 Western embassies in Kenya, including the United States, said they were “shocked” by the scenes outside the Kenyan Parliament and “deeply concerned” by allegations that security forces had abducted some protesters.
Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale also noted that the military has been deployed to support the country’s police services.
Later in the evening President William Ruto condemned the violence witnessed during the day as he described the breach of parliament as treasonous, vowing to crack down on the ‘organisers and financiers of the protests.
According to Ruto, it is inconceivable that “criminals posing as peaceful protesters” can terrorise people, elected representatives, and institutions and expect to get away with it.
“We must isolate crime from democratic expression and separate criminals from people exercising their freedom of expression and divergent opinion,” he added.
His sentiments seemed to have further agitated Kenyans as many went online to mock his “insensitive” remarks.
The protesters have vowed to breach State House tomorrow, Thursday, June 26.
