While Kenya is one of East Africa’s fastest growing economies, a third of its 52 million people live in poverty.
The death toll from protests in Kenya now stands at 13, according to an official from the main doctors’ association. Protests against tax hikes turned violent, with police shooting at demonstrators who ransacked parliament.
The unprecedented scenes, with parts of parliament in flames and many injured, shocked Kenyans and prompted the government of President William Ruto to deploy the army.
Protests, mainly led by youth, began peacefully last week in Nairobi and across the country. However, tensions rose on Tuesday afternoon, when police fired live ammunition into crowds who then invaded parliament.
Defence Minister Aden Bare Duale announced the deployment of the army to support the police in the face of the “security emergency”. Simon Kigondu, president of the Kenya Medical Association, said: “We have at least 13 people killed, but that is not the final figure.”
Local newspapers described the situation as “chaos” and “pandemonium.” Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi reported treating 160 people, some with gunshot wounds.
At a nighttime press conference, Ruto warned his government would take tough action against “violence and anarchy”, comparing some protesters to “criminals”.
The intensity of opposition to the government’s tax proposals, led mainly by young people from Generation Z, surprised authorities. Images broadcast on local television showed the parliament ransacked, with furniture burned and windows smashed.
A strong police presence was deployed around parliament on Wednesday morning. A police officer told AFP: “It was crazy, we hope it will be calm today. »
Peaceful protests escalated in Nairobi, where some protesters threw stones at police, who responded with tear gas, water cannons and live ammunition.
The international community is alarmed by these events, with calls for calm from the White House and several Western nations. UN chief Antonio Guterres and African Union Commission Chair Moussa Faki Mahamat also expressed deep concern.
Opposition leader Raila Odinga accused the government of using “brutal force” against protesters. The authorities have also been accused of kidnapping protesters, accusations to which the police have not responded.
The protests were sparked by long-standing grievances over the rising cost of living, exacerbated by the government’s tax proposals for 2024. The government, facing massive debt, plans to raise fuel prices and duties export.
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