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

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.

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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 breachingthe 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" hitKenya'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 theprotesters 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.

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)