LAST UPDATE | 25 Jun

AT LEAST FIVE people have been shot dead and another 31 wounded during an ongoing protest in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.

Thousands of people have taken to the streets to protest a new set of taxes which are deeply unpopular and seen as another burden on a population already dealing with a cost of living crisis. 

The military has now been deployed “in response to the security emergency caused by the ongoing violent protests” across Kenya “resulting in destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure”, defence minister Aden Bare Duale said.

Some protesters have gained entry to the parliament building after getting past police, who have deployed tear gas and fired on the protesters. 

A section of the parliament was on fire after some protesters stormed the complex. The fire has since been extinguished. The nearby office of the Nairobi Governor was also set alight.

Politicians fled the building through a tunnel after approving the controversial tax legislation.

Protesters allowed opposition legislators who voted against the Bill to walk out of the besieged building.

Kenya’s President William Ruto vowed to take a tough line against “violence and anarchy”.

“We shall provide a full, effective and expeditious response to today’s treasonous events,” Ruto told a press briefing in Nairobi.

Internet watchdog Netblocks confirmed that connectivity had seen a major drop today.

Miguna Miguna, an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a senior adviser to former Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Amollo Odinga posted a video of protesters overrunning the parliament complex. 

“It’s over, Zakayo,” Miguna wrote, using the Swahili name for the biblical tax collector Zacchaeus, which protesters have been using to refer to President Ruto.

It’s over, Zakayo - 0722 517 997. #RutoMustGo #FreshElections pic.twitter.com/dpufRnm8Fc

— Dr. Miguna Miguna (@MigunaMiguna) June 25, 2024

Protesters could be heard shouting: “We’re coming for every politician.”

Police also fired live ammunition and threw tear gas canisters at protesters who sought treatment at a medical tent set up at a church near the parliament complex.

Protesters carry the body of a man who was shot during the protest. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

“At least five people have been shot dead while treating the injured. Thirty-one people have been injured,” the Kenya Medical Association said in a statement.

Among those caught up in the chaos was the sister of former US president Barack Obama, who has Kenyan roots. Rita Auma Obama struggled to speak to a CNN reporter through the tear gas. 

President Obama’s sister Auma tear-gassed during show today while at demo in Nairobi w/ @LarryMadowo pic.twitter.com/adbLJhH0Uv

— Max Foster (@MaxFosterCNN) June 25, 2024

Elsewhere, Kenyatta National Hospital said it had received 45 “victims”, though it was not immediately clear if any were dead.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video of officers shooting at protesters and said they would be held to account, and it urged Ruto to issue an immediate order to “stop the killings”.

Protesters tried to storm the State House in the western city of Nakuru, a witness said.

They also burned ruling party offices in Embu in central Kenya, the Nation newspaper reported.

A man's body is carried away after he was shot during the protest in Nairobi. Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

The mostly youth-led movement has been pressuring the government to change course on its tax plans and despite Ruto relenting to some degree, it has not been seen as enough.

Protests are also taking place in other Kenyan cities.

Two people died in similar protests last week, and civil society groups have raised the alarm about a crackdown.

Kenya Law Society president Faith Odhiambo said earlier today that 50 Kenyans, including her personal assistant, had been “abducted” by people believed to be police officers.

Some of those missing included those who were vocal in the demonstrations and were taken from their homes, workplaces and public spaces ahead of today’s demonstrations, according to civil society groups.

Protesters walking on the grounds of the parliament complex in Nairobi Alamy Stock Photo Alamy Stock Photo

Police officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment.

Parliament speaker Moses Wetangula had directed the inspector general of police to provide information on the whereabouts of those reportedly abducted.

Also today, Kenyan police arrived in violence-ravaged Haiti to assist in putting down public unrest. The first group of 400 officers disembarked in the country’s capital Port-au-Prince this afternoon.

Ruto ceremonially saw the police force off yesterday in Nairobi, describing their journey as a “historic” mission of solidarity.

The world reacts 

The Chairman of the African Union, Moussa Faki Mahamat, expressed his “deep concern” about the violence and loss of life. He urged all parties to exercise calm.

The embassies and diplomatic missions from 13 countries, including Ireland, Canada, Germany, Britain and the United States, said in a joint statement they were “especially shocked by the scenes witnessed outside the Kenyan Parliament”.

The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is monitoring the situation and advised Irish citizen to follow the advice of local authorities and to avoid the protests.

The Department is aware of events today in Kenya and the Embassy continues to monitor the situation.

Irish citizens are advised to follow the advice of local authorities and to avoid protests.

If you are in Kenya, you can register with the Embassy at https://t.co/LzDyHkQcZd pic.twitter.com/OaxMrsC8zi

— Irish Foreign Ministry (@dfatirl) June 25, 2024

With reporting from AFP Press Association