Kenya: Anti-tax protesters stormed Parliament, police had to open fire

By news2source.com

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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Thousands of protesters stormed Kenya’s parliament Tuesday to protest tax proposals, burning part of the building, escorting lawmakers and firing shots at police in an unrest that the president Vowed to cancel. A large number of people were killed.

This was the most direct attack on the government in many years. Journalists saw at least three bodies outside the compound where police opened fire, and medical staff reported five mob casualties. The clashes spread to alternative cities. Once arrested, immediate guarantee was denied.

President William Ruto said, “Today’s events mark a turning point in how we respond to threats to our national security,” calling the incidents “treasonous” and calling for an end to the unrest “at any cost.” Vowed to do.

Kenya’s defense minister said the army has been deployed to backup police during “security emergencies” and “critical infrastructure breaches”.

Protesters had demanded that lawmakers vote against a finance bill that would impose unused taxes on East Africa’s economic hub, where frustrations over the high cost of living have grown. Early life, those who voted Ruto into power, I am grateful for his promises of economic happiness, have taken to the streets to object to the pain of the reforms.

The protesters overpowered and stormed the police, with lawmakers managing to push the bill through before escaping through a tunnel. The fire on the building was the closest.

The Kenya Scientific Association said in a statement that at least five bystanders were shot while trying to tend to the injured mob at the scene. It said more than 30 people in the crowd were injured, with at least 13 shot. Police fired live ammunition and tear gas canisters at protesters who sought treatment at a medical tent at a nearby church. Elsewhere in the city, the Kenyatta National Health Facility said it had caused 45 casualties.

A man was shot dead who was wrapped in a Kenyan flag and was in high spirits. Everyone else was lying on the sidewalk, their heads inside the gutter.

Internet service in the country has been significantly slowed, leading to what Netblocks called “major disruption” and at least one broadcaster issuing a comment saying “we have received threats from the authorities to shut us down.”

Ruto was out of Nairobi to attend an African Union retreat. It was expected that he would sign the Finance Bill this hour and make it a law. They have two weeks to act but are facing cries from religious and alternative leaders to think again.

The interior office of the Nairobi governor, a member of the ruling party, also briefly caught fire on Tuesday, with smoke billowing from its white facade. Police aqua cannon were used to extinguish the fire.

Protesters can be heard shouting, “We are coming for every politician.”

The Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video of officers shooting at protesters, and it suggested Ruto immediately give a call to “stop the killings”.

The President said the federal government has “mobilized all resources” to ensure the line.

On Sunday, Ruto attempted to calm rising community tensions, saying he was proud of young Kenyans who had come out to fulfill their democratic responsibilities in previous protests. the one who had the meat press Promoted himself as a “hustler” From humble beginnings he mentioned that he would talk to them about their ideas.

Early Life had announced that they were uniting to take control of the federal government as the prices of gasoline, food and alternative necessities increased. In Nairobi, a regional hub for expatriates and a UN residential complex, long-standing frustrations over inequality as well as status corruption among Kenyans have intensified.

Opposition to the finance bill has united a large section of the country, with some clearly rejecting the tribalism that has isolated Kenya in this era. Some who had enthusiastically supported Ruto felt betrayed.

“I got caught in his lies. Now I’m sitting here regretting why I voted for him,” teenage Oscar Saina told The Associated Press last hour.

As protesters filled the streets on Tuesday, defiance erupted in various places across the country – including the city where the president used to live, Naivasha, where protesters chanted “Ruto must go.” ,

An eyewitness said protesters tried to storm the Condition area of ​​the western city of Nakuru. There were clashes in the western lakeside city of Kisumu. The governor of Mombasa, Kenya’s second-largest city, joined protesters outside his office and expressed his support for them.

Protestors burned ruling party workplaces in Embu, central Kenya, the People’s newspaper reported. Citizen TV showed images from Nyeri, central Kenya, showing police confronting protesters in the streets smoking smoke.

The nationwide gathering of Catholic bishops implored police not to attack protesters and urged the federal government to listen to the pain of voters over “unfair” taxes, saying, “The country is bleeding … families suffering immensely. Are.”

Two people died in similar protests last hourAnd civil public teams have sounded the alarm for some action.

Kenya Regulation Community chairperson Religion Odhiambo said last Tuesday that fifty Kenyans, including his personal labourer, had been “kidnapped” by a mob believed to be police. Some people have been vocal in the demonstrations and in line with civil society groups, they were escorted from homes, offices and community areas ahead of Tuesday’s protests.

A comment from diplomats from 13 Western countries, including the US, said they were “shocked” by the scenes outside parliament and expressed concern about the violence and kidnappings of protesters.

The police officer did not go straight to Yelling in search of comment. Parliament Speaker Moses Wetangula had directed the Inspector General of Police to hand over information on the whereabouts of the missing people.

Also on Tuesday, several Kenyan policemen, long accused of abuses by human rights monitors and others, arrived in haiti Leading a United Nations-backed multinational operation against the brutal gangs that occupy the country. The deployment faces a serious problem in Kenya, although Ruto’s executive is ahead of the curve for a long time Thanks to US President Joe Biden.

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AP Africa information: https://apnews.com/hub/africa


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