Kenyan Protests Erupt Over Proposed Tax Increases, Leaving Five Dead

Protesters clashed with police in Kenya's capital Nairobi on Tuesday, resulting in at least five demonstrators being shot dead and dozens wounded. In chaotic scenes, protesters managed to storm the parliament compound in an attempt to overturn a bill that would raise taxes.

Protesters clashed with police in Kenya's capital Nairobi on Tuesday, resulting in at least five demonstrators being shot dead and dozens wounded. 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 cannon failed to disperse the crowds. A Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament, while a paramedic claimed that at least 10 had been shot dead. Another paramedic said over 50 people had been wounded by gunfire.

Kenyan Protests Erupt Over Proposed Tax Increases, Leaving Five Dead

"We want to shut down parliament and every MP should go down and resign," protester Davis Tafari told Reuters. "We will have a new government."

Kenyan activist Auma Obama, the half-sister of former U.S. President Barack Obama, was among protesters tear-gassed during the demonstrations.

Kenyan Protests Erupt Over Proposed Tax Increases, Leaving Five Dead

Police eventually managed to drive the protesters from the building as lawmakers were evacuated through underground tunnels. Internet services across the country experienced severe disruptions during the police crackdown.

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.

Parliament approved the finance bill, moving it through to a third reading. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to the president for signing.

The finance bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion in taxes as part of an effort to lighten the heavy debt load. Interest payments alone consume 37% of Kenya's annual revenue.

The government has already made some concessions, promising to scrap proposed new taxes on bread, cooking oil, car ownership, and financial transactions. However, this has not been enough to satisfy protesters.

Tuesday's protests began in a festival-like atmosphere, but as crowds swelled, police fired tear gas in Nairobi's Central Business District and the poor neighborhood of Kibera.

Clashes also broke out in the coastal city of Mombasa and demonstrations took place in Kisumu, on Lake Victoria, and Garissa in eastern Kenya.

In Nairobi, people chanted "Ruto must go" and "All can be possible without Ruto." Music played from loudspeakers and protesters waved Kenyan flags and blew whistles.

Thousands had taken to the streets of Nairobi and several other cities during two days of protests last week as an online, youth-led movement gathered momentum.

The young Kenyans taking part in the current demonstrations have no official leader and have been growing increasingly bold in their demands.

While protesters initially focused on the finance bill, their demands have broadened to demand Ruto's resignation.

The opposition declined to participate in the vote in parliament, shouting "reject, reject" when the house went through the items one by one.

The finance ministry says amendments would blow a $1.56 billion hole in the 2024/25 budget, and compel the government to make spending cuts or raise taxes elsewhere.

Amid rising civil unrest, Kenya's sovereign dollar bonds slid on Tuesday afternoon.

"They are budgeting for corruption," said protester Hussein Ali, 18. "We won't relent. It's the government that is going to back off. Not us."