Kenya's President William Ruto Tuesday (Jun 25) promised to take a tough line against "violence and anarchy" after protests against his government's proposed tax hikes turned deadly and demonstrators ransacked parliament, reportedly setting parts of it on fire. The violence left at least five people dead.

"We shall provide a full, effective and expeditious response to today's treasonous events," Ruto told a press briefing in Nairobi.&nbsp;

After rounds of rubber bullets and water cannons, police opened fire on demonstrators who were trying to storm Kenya's parliament killing at least five, as per news agencies. Local reports mentioned that at least 10 died, but there's no official confirmation.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/kenya-protests-ex-us-president-barack-obamas-sister-tear-gassed-live-on-air-735053">Kenya protests: Ex-US president Barack Obama's sister tear-gassed live on air</a>&nbsp;&nbsp;

Several protesters reportedly entered the complex where lawmakers were debating tax hike proposals that have sparked widespread anger across the nation.&nbsp;

A fire erupted at the governor's office in the capital city of Nairobi. TV footage showed protesters breaching&nbsp;the nearby parliament complex, which was also partly ablaze.&nbsp;Footage broadcast on privately owned Citizen TV showed police trying to douse the flames at City Hall with water cannons, with rights groups accusing officers of firing live rounds, leaving one dead and many wounded.&nbsp;

Police fired live bullets at protesters, with the Kenya Human Rights Commission initially saying on X that "police have shot four protesters, as witnessed by KHRC, killing one. We strongly condemn the police killing".&nbsp;

"Human rights observers are now reporting the increasing use of live bullets by the National Police Service in the capital of Nairobi... Safe passage for medical officers to treat the many wounded is now urgent," Irungu Houghton, the executive director of Amnesty International Kenya, told the news agency AFP.&nbsp;

<h2>Internet disruptions in Kenya&nbsp;</h2>

Global web monitor NetBlocks said that a&nbsp;"major disruption" hit&nbsp;Kenya's internet service amid protests.&nbsp;

"Live network data show a major disruption to internet connectivity in #Kenya; the incident comes amidst a deadly crackdown by police on #RejectFinanceBill2024 protesters a day after authorities claimed there would be no internet shutdown," the watchdog said on X.&nbsp;

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<h2>What do the&nbsp;protesters want?&nbsp;</h2>

Kenyan protesters have demanded President William Ruto's resignation over proposed tax hikes. The protesters have accused Ruto of betraying them after he won the presidency in 2022 as he promised to champion the working poor. They vowed to reject outright the government's new finance bill to raise taxes and lighten debt costs.&nbsp;

Kenyans protested against the new finance bill despite the fact that the government agreed to scrap some provisions in the draft law, such as taxes on bread, cars, cooking oil and sanitary towels. The Finance Bill 2024 proposes increased levies on a wide range of products and services which has angered citizens, who are already overburdened by the high cost of living.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/why-is-wikileaks-founder-julian-assange-flying-to-saipan-a-remote-pacific-island-734986">Why is WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange flying to Saipan, a remote Pacific island?</a>&nbsp;

As quoted by the news agency Reuters, an unnamed protester said, "Government treats us like foreigners in this place. We are rejecting every single bill in that finance... we are rejecting the bill, every clause. We are not asking for any amendment. We are asking for them to reject it. We are going to take power with our own hands, and we are not afraid."&nbsp;

"I don't want him as my president, I even regret why I voted for him. He must go. This new finance bill, you are not amending, we are rejecting. Everything, withdraw it. The money that he uses to travel is belonging to the economy. Ruto you must go, by force. We are not pleasing you, you must go by force," a protester said.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Kenya's President William Ruto Tuesday (Jun 25) promised to take a tough line against "violence and anarchy" after protests against his government's proposed tax hikes turned deadly and demonstrators ransacked parliament, reportedly setting parts of it on fire.

Kenya's President William Ruto Tuesday (Jun 25) promised to take a tough line against "violence and anarchy" after protests against his government's proposed tax hikes turned deadly and demonstrators ransacked parliament, reportedly setting parts of it on fire. The violence left at least five people dead. "We shall provide a full, effective and expeditious response to today's treasonous events," Ruto told a press briefing in Nairobi. After rounds of rubber bullets and water cannons, police opened fire on demonstrators who were trying to storm Kenya's parliament killing at least five, as per news agencies. Local reports mentioned that at least 10 died, but there's no official confirmation. Also read: Kenya protests: Ex-US president Barack Obama's sister tear-gassed live on air Several protesters reportedly entered the complex where lawmakers were debating tax hike proposals that have sparked widespread anger across the nation. A fire erupted at the governor's office in the capital city of Nairobi. TV footage showed protesters breaching the nearby parliament complex, which was also partly ablaze. Footage broadcast on privately owned Citizen TV showed police trying to douse the flames at City Hall with water cannons, with rights groups accusing officers of firing live rounds, leaving one dead and many wounded. Police fired live bullets at protesters, with the Kenya Human Rights Commission initially saying on X that "police have shot four protesters, as witnessed by KHRC, killing one. We strongly condemn the police killing". "Human rights observers are now reporting the increasing use of live bullets by the National Police Service in the capital of Nairobi... Safe passage for medical officers to treat the many wounded is now urgent," Irungu Houghton, the executive director of Amnesty International Kenya, told the news agency AFP. Internet disruptions in Kenya Global web monitor NetBlocks said that a "major disruption" hit Kenya's internet service amid protests. "Live network data show a major disruption to internet connectivity in #Kenya; the incident comes amidst a deadly crackdown by police on #RejectFinanceBill2024 protesters a day after authorities claimed there would be no internet shutdown," the watchdog said on X. × What do the protesters want? Kenyan protesters have demanded President William Ruto's resignation over proposed tax hikes. The protesters have accused Ruto of betraying them after he won the presidency in 2022 as he promised to champion the working poor. They vowed to reject outright the government's new finance bill to raise taxes and lighten debt costs. Kenyans protested against the new finance bill despite the fact that the government agreed to scrap some provisions in the draft law, such as taxes on bread, cars, cooking oil and sanitary towels. The Finance Bill 2024 proposes increased levies on a wide range of products and services which has angered citizens, who are already overburdened by the high cost of living. Also read: Why is WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange flying to Saipan, a remote Pacific island? As quoted by the news agency Reuters, an unnamed protester said, "Government treats us like foreigners in this place. We are rejecting every single bill in that finance... we are rejecting the bill, every clause. We are not asking for any amendment. We are asking for them to reject it. We are going to take power with our own hands, and we are not afraid." "I don't want him as my president, I even regret why I voted for him. He must go. This new finance bill, you are not amending, we are rejecting. Everything, withdraw it. The money that he uses to travel is belonging to the economy. Ruto you must go, by force. We are not pleasing you, you must go by force," a protester said. (With inputs from agencies)

Kenya's President William Ruto slams 'criminal' demonstrators as protests turn deadly, five killed

Kenya’s top judge advised President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday to dissolve the country’s male-dominated parliament, saying lawmakers had failed to meet a constitutional provision which would allow for one-third of seats to be occupied by women.

Despite Kenya’s 2010 constitution stating that no more than two-thirds of any elected or appointed body can be of the same gender, women hold 22% of seats in the country’s lower house of parliament, and 31% in the upper house.

Court rulings since 2012 have directed parliament to pass legislation to enforce the gender rule or risk being dissolved - but previous attempts have failed with female MPs accusing male lawmakers of deliberately blocking efforts.

In an advisory sent to Kenyatta, Chief Justice David Maraga said the failure to enact the legislation was clear testimony of lawmakers’ “lackadaisical attitude and conduct” in relation to the two-thirds gender rule.

“There is no doubt that the dissolution of parliament will cause inconvenience and even economic hardship. The fact that Kenya is in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic only exacerbates the potential impact of the decision,” wrote Maraga.

“Yet that is the clear result Kenyans desired for parliament’s failure to enact legislation they deemed necessary. We must forget that more often than not, there is no gain without pain.”

Presidential spokeswoman Kanze Dena told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that there was no comment on the advisory.

Some political analysts said the advisory does not compel the president to act, but women’s rights groups who have long campaigned for legislation said the move was a significant step in the fight for fairer gender representation in politics.

“We imagined it, we worked for it we made it possible,” tweeted Marilyn Kamaru from the #Weare52pc movement, a collective of activists and womens’ groups which had petitioned to have parliament dissolved three years ago.

“Whether the president dissolves parliament or illegally retains it in violation of the Constitution. It is important to remember this moment was made possible by the work of women activists, feminists &amp; the queer community.”

Women make up only a third of the 2.5 million people employed in the formal sector, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. And while women provide 80% of Kenya’s farm labour, they own only 1% of agricultural land.

The percentage of women in Kenya’s parliament is lower than east African neighbours such as Ethiopia, South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda, according to Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Gender experts say women in politics face a barrage of challenges, ranging from physical and sexual violence to a lack of money to fund their campaigns. Quotas, they say, help create a more level playing field and ensure their voice is represented.

Kenya’s top judge advised President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday to dissolve the country’s male-dominated parliament, saying lawmakers had failed to meet a constitutional provision which would allow for one-third of seats to be occupied by women.

Kenya’s top judge advised President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday to dissolve the country’s male-dominated parliament, saying lawmakers had failed to meet a constitutional provision which would allow for one-third of seats to be occupied by women. Despite Kenya’s 2010 constitution stating that no more than two-thirds of any elected or appointed body can be of the same gender, women hold 22% of seats in the country’s lower house of parliament, and 31% in the upper house. Court rulings since 2012 have directed parliament to pass legislation to enforce the gender rule or risk being dissolved - but previous attempts have failed with female MPs accusing male lawmakers of deliberately blocking efforts. In an advisory sent to Kenyatta, Chief Justice David Maraga said the failure to enact the legislation was clear testimony of lawmakers’ “lackadaisical attitude and conduct” in relation to the two-thirds gender rule. “There is no doubt that the dissolution of parliament will cause inconvenience and even economic hardship. The fact that Kenya is in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic only exacerbates the potential impact of the decision,” wrote Maraga. “Yet that is the clear result Kenyans desired for parliament’s failure to enact legislation they deemed necessary. We must forget that more often than not, there is no gain without pain.” Presidential spokeswoman Kanze Dena told the Thomson Reuters Foundation that there was no comment on the advisory. Some political analysts said the advisory does not compel the president to act, but women’s rights groups who have long campaigned for legislation said the move was a significant step in the fight for fairer gender representation in politics. “We imagined it, we worked for it we made it possible,” tweeted Marilyn Kamaru from the #Weare52pc movement, a collective of activists and womens’ groups which had petitioned to have parliament dissolved three years ago. “Whether the president dissolves parliament or illegally retains it in violation of the Constitution. It is important to remember this moment was made possible by the work of women activists, feminists & the queer community.” Women make up only a third of the 2.5 million people employed in the formal sector, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. And while women provide 80% of Kenya’s farm labour, they own only 1% of agricultural land. The percentage of women in Kenya’s parliament is lower than east African neighbours such as Ethiopia, South Sudan, Burundi and Rwanda, according to Inter-Parliamentary Union. Gender experts say women in politics face a barrage of challenges, ranging from physical and sexual violence to a lack of money to fund their campaigns. Quotas, they say, help create a more level playing field and ensure their voice is represented.

Kenya's top judge advises parliament to dissolve over lack of women

Kenya’s top judge advised President Uhuru Kenyatta on Monday to dissolve the country’s male-dominated parliament

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Watch: WION Gravitas, 08th August, 2019

Kenyan MP With Her Baby Was Ordered To Leave The Parliament. We live in 2019. Yet prejudice on the basis of gender remains a global problem. Kenya stooped a level further and demonstrated sexism & misogyny in its parliament. Kenyan MP Zuleikha Hassan was not only asked to leave the chamber for carrying her baby to the workplace, but she was also ridiculed for the 'shameful act'. Contrast this with the support that Jacinda Ardern, the New Zealand PM received few months back!

WION Gravitas: Sexism & Misgony in Kenyan Parliament