Sundiata Post – A section of Kenya’s parliament was set ablaze, yesterday, minutes after protesters broke through police lines to storm the complex.
There were also images of a police truck on fire nearby. In chaotic scenes, protesters overwhelmed police and chased them away in an attempt to storm the parliament compound. Police opened fire after tear gas and water cannons failed to disperse the crowds.
The protesters had been shouting ‘reject the finance bill’, and had vowed to get to parliament. At least five protesters were killed and dozens wounded. The protests came just as members of parliament (MPs) passed a controversial finance bill that introduced unpopular taxes.
The youth-led protesters called on MPs to reject the proposed tax increases.
The government, which has rowed back on some of the most controversial measures, said new taxes are needed to fund spending programmes and lessen the debt burden. Protests and clashes also took place in several other cities and towns across the country, with many calling for President William Ruto to quit office as well as voicing their opposition to the tax rises.
Parliament approved the finance bill, moving it through to a third reading by lawmakers. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to the president for signing. He can send it back to parliament if he has any objection.
Ruto acknowledged the protests and promised he will hold talks to address the concerns of the youths who are at the forefront of the protests.
Ruto won an election almost two years ago on a platform of championing Kenya’s working poor, but has been caught between the competing demands of lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, which is urging the government to cut deficits to obtain more funding, and a hard-pressed population.
“Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a grave violation of human rights,” the Kenya Human Rights Commission said.
Thousands of protesters have been engaged in running battles with the police, with security officers firing rubber bullets and teargas to break up the crowds.
Businesses have been shut and transport has been paralysed. Officers were deployed to protect key government installations, including parliament. The crowds were much bigger than in previous protests. Ahead of the demonstrations, lawyers and human rights groups expressed concern about arbitrary arrests and the intimidation of activists during earlier protests.
