‘Part of parliament burned’: What led to violent protests in Kenya? | Parami News

The Kenya capital, Nairobi, has experienced enormous turmoil with police officers launching tear gas and water cannons to tame the huge crowd that took to the streets in defiance of the proposed tax hikes.

Five people were shot dead and 31 others injured during the deadly uproar that hit Kenya as reported by various NGOs including Amnesty Kenya, in a joint statement.

Protests had been peaceful for most of this week but turned violent on Tuesday in Nairobi when crowds started hurling stones at police who used barricades or tried entering Parliament’s premises.

The extent of which led to thousands of demonstrators setting ablaze part of the parliament building, forcing lawmakers to leave. And then afterwards Kenyan policemen reacted by shooting fire and rubber bullets.

Why did Clashes become Fatal?

This anti-tax protest was called following the finance bill which has put protestors against their government.

In an attempt to reduce its heavy debt burden resulting from interests payments alone consuming 37% of annual revenue, The Bill provides for additional $2.7bn taxes from other sources.

However, it has already offered some concessions pledging amendments to scrap new taxes on bread, cooking oil, car ownership and financial transactions among other things proposed under it.

Yet these concessions have not quelled protesters’ anger who demand entire bill be scrapped. They also want William Ruto out as President.

On Tuesday though – a day when discontent with the Bill boiled over causing violence after tens of thousands marched through the streets of Mombasa town; a port city on lake Victoria as well as others across country causing headaches for state’s failure win its subjects’ hearts regarding this matter.

“This is my first protest”, said Sonia (37), a digital marketer told news agency Reuters

“Other years I didn’t really feel like I should go out there but now it’s really affecting my business and what I do. Many times when Kenyans demonstrate it is always violent but no one will loot shops. The police are the ones that are beating us with no cause at all,” she said.

The Kenyan President Speaks Out

After the protests against tax increases descended into mayhem, President William Ruto promised to act tough on “violence and anarchy.”

According to AFP news agency, Ruto was quoted as saying, “today’s treasonous events shall be responded to by us fully, effectively and in due course.” He explained that “dangerous people” had taken over the peaceful protests.

“It is unimaginable that criminals who hide behind peaceful protesters can engage in such acts of terror against our elected representatives and other institutions established under our constitution and imagine that they will just walk away,” added Ruto.

He further stated: “I therefore want to put on notice those persons or groups responsible for planning, financing, very well choreographing this violence and anarchy.”

Eventually, after turning into dead clashes, the government sent its army to back up its embattled cops.

India comes up with advisory for its citizens in Kenya

As a result of violent demonstrations in Africa’s second largest economy today India issued a travel advisory for its nationals living there.

“Please exercise utmost caution and avoid these areas till normalcy is restored”, the Indian embassy in Nairobi said.

The Indian mission also urged the Indian nationals to be tuning in to local news and following the Mission’s website as well as social media handles for updates.

“Given the current tense situation in Kenya, Indians are advised to exercise maximum caution, restrict non-essential movement and avoid areas affected by protests and violence till things normalize,” said the Embassy.

UN chief expresses ‘deep concern’

On Tuesday, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson said that his boss was “deeply concerned” about the violence in Kenya “and he is saddened by reports of deaths.”

Stephane Dujarric, a spokesman, who spoke at a press conference on Monday stated that “the Secretary General is obviously deeply concerned over the reported violence that we’ve seen connected with these protests and street demonstrations. He’s very much saddened by the reports of deaths and injuries, including journalists and medical personnel.”