Protesters Attack Kenyan Parliament; At Least Five Killed

Police gunfire aimed at protesters storming the Kenyan Parliament building resulted in at least five deaths and dozens of injuries, with part of the Parliament building also set ablaze. The incident was triggered by protests against a tax increase bill that was on the Parliament's agenda during the assault. Videos released by citizen journalists on Tuesday, July 5, show that protesters managed to enter the Senate building in the early hours of their gathering. In addition to using tear gas and water cannons to disperse the crowd, police also fired shots at them. A Reuters journalist reported seeing the bodies of at least five individuals, while a paramedic told the agency that the death toll could be at least 10. According to rescuers on the scene assisting the injured, at least 50 people were wounded by gunfire. CNN's coverage of the events noted that Auma Obama, the half-sister of former U.S. President Barack Obama, was seen among the protesters and was affected by tear gas. Ultimately, police were able to disperse the protesters. Local media reported that members of the Kenyan legislative assemblies were evacuated through tunnels beneath the Parliament building. Concurrently with the clashes around the Parliament building, internet services in Kenya were disrupted. One of the largest internet service providers in the country stated that it appeared the main submarine cables supplying the network had been cut. In addition to the protests and clashes in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya, similar protests were held in other cities. Protesters called for the removal of President William Ruto and expressed their opposition to the tax increase bill. On Tuesday, the Kenyan Parliament passed the tax increase bill during its third session of review. For it to become law, it requires presidential approval, which can be returned to Parliament for further review if there are any criticisms or considerations. William Ruto was elected president about two years ago with the promise of defending the poor, but he has faced pressure from foreign lenders, including the International Monetary Fund, to reduce the budget deficit to secure foreign loans. Kenyan policymakers aim to reduce the budget deficit by increasing taxes and cutting public services. Kenyans, especially low-income groups still suffering from the economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, two consecutive years of drought, and rising fuel and food prices due to the consequences of the Ukraine war, oppose the tax increase. Currently, Kenya allocates about 37% of its national income solely to servicing foreign debt. The new financial bill aims to raise an additional $2.7 billion annually through tax increases. Opposition leaders have stated they are only willing to engage in dialogue with the government and end the protests if the bill is immediately revoked. In recent days, the Kenyan government has revised some provisions of the bill, including tax increases on the prices of bread, cooking oils, and vehicle ownership, but these concessions have not been able to stop the protests. Opposition leaders in Kenya typically negotiate with the government to resolve political crises, but it seems that a significant portion of the recent protests is a spontaneous movement of youth without clear leadership. Although these protests began in opposition to the financial bill, the protesters' demands have broadened to include the president's resignation. The severe government crackdown and the risk of protests becoming 'underground' are evident in the accounts of doctors and eyewitnesses regarding the injured from the protests.