1 Killed, Parts of Kenya’s Parliament Set on Fire As Protest Against New Taxes Turn Violent

Nairobi: A protester was shot dead by Kenyan police near parliament on Tuesday, according to the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC). Three people were seen lying motionless as crowds opposing proposed tax hikes breached barricades and entered the parliamentary complex, where a fire had broken out.

The protests, primarily led by Gen-Z demonstrators, began last week and have caught the government off guard. President William Ruto has expressed willingness to dialogue with the protesters. However, tensions escalated on Tuesday afternoon as crowds hurled stones at police and pushed through barricades towards the parliament complex, which was heavily guarded by riot police.

Police opened fire on the crowds outside the parliament building, where lawmakers were debating a contentious finance bill proposing tax hikes. “Police have shot four protesters, as witnessed by KHRC, killing one,” the KHRC stated on X (formerly Twitter).

Nationwide rallies over a cost-of-living crisis started last week, with demonstrators demanding the scrapping of the finance bill due to rising prices of essentials like bread and nappies. Despite a heavy police presence, thousands of protesters marched through Nairobi’s business district towards parliament, facing tear gas and rubber bullets from police.

Protesters also marched in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret, with many livestreaming the events as they sang, chanted, and beat drums. The Independent Policing Oversight Authority and rights groups reported two fatalities from Thursday’s rallies in Nairobi. Amnesty International Kenya reported that at least 200 people were wounded during last week’s protests.

Amnesty’s Kenya chapter noted a rapid deterioration in the pattern of policing protests, urging the government to respect the right to assembly. The Kenya Human Rights Commission accused authorities of abducting protesters, calling for the unconditional release of all abductees. Police have not commented on these allegations.

The protesters have employed unconventional tactics, such as urging bars to stop playing music at midnight, leading to chants of “Ruto must go” and “Reject finance bill” from partygoers. The demonstrations have garnered support from some Anglican and Catholic church leaders.

The government, grappling with a significant debt burden, agreed last week to roll back several tax increases but still plans to raise other taxes to reduce reliance on external borrowing. The treasury warned of a budget shortfall of 200 billion shillings ($1.56 billion) after scrapping levies on bread, car ownership, and financial and mobile services. To fill this void, the government intends to increase fuel prices and export taxes, a move critics argue will exacerbate the already high inflation and living costs for Kenyans.

Kenya, despite having one of the most dynamic economies in East Africa, still has a third of its 52 million people living in poverty.