Protest in Kenya Over New Tax Hikes Turns Deadly as Demonstrators Surround Parliament

Protesters react next to burning tires during a protest against the finance bill in Nairobi, Kenya on June 25, 2024. Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images

Protests outside the Kenyan parliamentary building in Nairobi devolved into violence and gunfire on Tuesday as lawmakers deliberated a bill to raise taxes.

The shooting began as demonstrators flooded onto the parliamentary grounds.

While exact details of the unrest are still emerging, the Kenya Medical Association and Amnesty International’s Kenya branch issued a press statement with other groups, reporting police fired on demonstrators with both live ammunition and rubber bullets. The organizations reported at least 13 people were struck with live ammunition and five died from gunshot wounds, while four others were injured by rubber bullets and three others by other crowd-control munitions. They also alleged 21 people have been abducted by both uniformed and plainclothes officers in the past day, as protests have grown in opposition to the new tax laws.

The demonstrations have come about as lawmakers advancing the country’s 2024 Finance Bill have considered provisions raising existing taxes on financial transactions and foreign remittances, along with increased levies on commodities like bread, vegetable oil, and sugar. Lawmakers have also weighed a new tax on motor vehicles, and an “eco levy” on goods like sanitary towels and diapers.

Lawmakers in Kenya’s National Assembly, the lower house of the country’s parliament, announced they had voted against increasing taxes on diapers, sanitary towels, bread, diaspora remittances and other money transfers, and excluded motorcycle, tuk-tuk, and bicycle tires from the “eco levy.” The National Assembly voted 195 to 106 on Tuesday to pass this year’s finance bill as the demonstrations devolved into violence.

Kenyan President William Ruto made a public address following the events around the parliamentary compound on Tuesday, denouncing the conduct of certain demonstrators.

A Kenyan police officer wearing riot gear kicks a tear gas canister during a protest against the finance bill in Nairobi, Kenya, on June 25, 2024. Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images

“Today Kenya experienced an unprecedented attack on its democracy, rule of law and the integrity of its constitutional institutions,” Mr. Ruto began. “An otherwise legitimate expression of the fundamental rights and freedoms of assembly, demonstration, picketing, and partitioning of public authorities, by a section of law-abiding citizens of the Republic of Kenya was infiltrated and hijacked by a group of organized criminals.”

The Kenyan president confirmed the clashes had resulted in losses of life, as well as destruction to property and the “desecration” of symbols of Kenyan sovereignty. Mr. Ruto announced he had directed all of Kenya’s national security components to stop future efforts to “undermine the security and stability of our country.”

Mr. Ruto concluded his remarks by vowing “a full, effective, and expeditious response to today’s treasonous events.”

Aden Duale, the cabinet secretary for Kenya’s Ministry of Defense, also announced on Tuesday that Kenya’s military had been deployed to assist its National Police Service response to “ongoing violent protests” throughout the country.

The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi released a press statement in conjunction with the United Kingdom’s High Commission and the embassies of Canada, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Estonia, Norway, and Sweden, expressing their concern over the demonstrations and the security response it evoked.

“As friends and partners to Kenya, we note that Kenya’s constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest,” the multinational statement reads. “All actors have the responsibility to respect, uphold, promote and fulfill the principles of democracy and the rule of law, particularly by ensuring a proportionate security response. We are deeply concerned by the violence witnessed in many parts of the country during the recent protests, and are especially shocked by the scenes witnessed outside the Kenyan Parliament. We regret the tragic loss of life and injuries sustained including by the use of live fire.”

The joint statement also expressed concern over allegations of authorities abducting protesters and welcomed a statement by Chief Justice of Kenya Martha Koome sharing her own concerns over the reported abductions.

“We call for restraint on all sides, and encourage all leaders to find peaceful solutions through constructive dialogue,” the statement by the U.S. embassy and its counterparts concludes.

Reuters contributed to this article.