Nairobi, Kenya – Widespread protests in Kenya over the controversial Finance Bill 2024 turned deadly on Tuesday, with clashes between demonstrators and police leaving at least five people feared dead and dozens injured, according to human rights groups and medical professionals.
The unrest erupted as Kenyans, frustrated by the proposed tax hikes in the Finance Bill, called for a nationwide “total shutdown.” Dubbed “7 Days of Rage,” the demonstrations reflect the growing public anger against the proposed tax increases.
Amnesty International Kenya, along with other human rights groups and medical professionals, issued a joint statement condemning the violence. They reported that at least five protesters were fatally shot, while others suffered injuries from live bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters.
“Despite the assurance by the Government that the right to assembly would be protected and facilitated, today’s protests have spiraled into violence. Human rights observers and medical officers have reported several incidents of human rights violation,” the statement released by Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and Police Reforms Working Group Kenya said.
The situation escalated dramatically when protesters stormed the Kenyan Parliament building. Lawmakers were forced to flee through an underground passage as the building came under attack. Reports indicate the ceremonial mace was stolen during the incident.
Beyond the parliament, the violence spilled over into Nairobi’s City Hall, the office of the Governor. Live footage captured flames engulfing the building, while vehicles parked near the Supreme Court also fell victim to arson.
Kenyan police responded aggressively to the protests, firing live rounds at demonstrators. A CNN team reported the violence, observing two lifeless bodies on the ground. Officials reported at least 31 injuries, including those from live bullets, rubber bullets, and tear gas canisters.
Adding to the drama, Auma Obama, half-sister of former US President Barack Obama and a Kenyan-British activist, was teargassed during a live interview with CNN while participating in the protests.
“I can’t even see anymore, we’re being teargassed. I’m here because look at what’s happening. Young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights. They are demonstrating with flags and banners,” Obama said in footage captured by CNN.
President William Ruto has expressed a desire for dialogue with protesters but faces criticism for a pre-emptive crackdown. Amnesty International reported the abduction of up to 12 prominent Kenyans, including activists and journalists, in the lead-up to the protests. Amnesty Kenya executive director Irũngũ Houghton told CNN, “We are horrified by some of the testimonies we have heard over the last 24 hours. We have about 12 people unaccounted for who have been picked up, in many cases, by people who are uniformed or not uniformed. We are now seeing not just abductions but disappearances.”
Houghton added that the abducted individuals had not received legal assistance, and their families were unaware of their whereabouts.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Kenyan government faces mounting pressure both domestically and internationally to address the growing unrest and human rights concerns while finding a resolution to the controversial Finance Bill 2024.
