United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed sadness over reports of deaths and injuries during the anti-Finance Bill protests in various parts of the country on Tuesday.
“I am deeply saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries – including of journalists and medical personnel – connected to protests and street demonstrations in Kenya,” Guterres said in a statement on Wednesday.
The UN boss went on to appeal to the Kenya government to exercise restraint when dealing with anti-Finance Bill protesters.
“I urge the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, and call for all demonstrations to take place peacefully.”
Authorities reported only five deaths, but the actual number could be higher. Tuesday’s protests, the most intense since they began on June 18, saw mainly youths storming the streets to demand the rejection of the Finance Bill, 2024, in countrywide demonstrations, even affecting President William Ruto’s and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s home regions.
Gunshots, tear gas, and running battles marked the protests as MPs voted to amend various clauses proposed by the National Assembly’s Finance Committee, eventually passing the Bill. The chaos paralyzed transport and led to the hurried closure of business premises in major towns.
In Ruto’s hometown, Eldoret, and Gachagua’s Nyeri town, massive protests erupted for the second time in as many weeks. Demonstrations also took place in their political strongholds, including Kericho, Nakuru, Narok, Turkana, Embu, Meru, Kajiado, Laikipia, Nyandarua, Kiambu, and Murang’a.
The youths overpowered anti-riot police, forcefully stormed Parliament, and attempted to set it ablaze in a day marked by chaos and bloodshed.
The surging crowd, mostly youths, surrounded Parliament from nearly all sides and brought down parliamentary gates near the Jomo Kenyatta mausoleum amid heavy clouds of tear gas.
Police responded with gunfire, killing an unknown number of people as MPs fled the rowdy mobs. Protesters lay on Parliament Road, some in pools of blood, but it was unclear if they were alive or dead.
