NAIROBI: At least ten people were shot dead in Nairobi, Kenya’s capital, on Tuesday amidst violent clashes between protesters and police, sparked by demonstrations against proposed tax legislation. The unrest culminated in a section of the parliament building being set ablaze, escalating tensions that had been simmering for days.
According to a paramedic on the scene, the fatalities occurred as protests turned violent, with police firing live rounds at demonstrators near the parliament complex. People were lying motionless on the ground, victims of the clashes which also left “many wounded,” as reported by Amnesty International Kenya.
Irungu Houghton, the executive director of Amnesty International Kenya, condemned the use of live ammunition by the National Police Service, highlighting the urgent need for medical personnel to access and treat the wounded amidst the chaotic scenes.
The protests, primarily led by members of Generation Z, had started peacefully the previous week in response to a proposed finance bill that included tax hikes. President William Ruto had expressed willingness to engage with the demonstrators over the weekend, attempting to defuse the mounting discontent over rising living costs.
However, tensions flared dramatically on Tuesday afternoon when demonstrators began hurling stones at police and attempting to breach barricades around the parliament complex. The situation quickly escalated into clashes with authorities in riot gear, who responded with force to disperse the crowds.
The unrest underscores widespread frustration over a deepening cost-of-living crisis in Kenya, which has spurred nationwide rallies demanding the withdrawal of the contentious finance bill.
