Kenyan police resorted to firing live rounds at demonstrators in Nairobi on Tuesday as anger mounted over a controversial finance bill that has triggered widespread protests. The situation turned violent as protesters stormed the parliament, leading to the theft of the ceremonial mace, a symbol of authority in civic ceremonies. Lawmakers managed to escape through an underground channel to the nearby government building of Bunge Towers as clashes between police and protesters escalated.
During the protests, Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, was teargassed by police while giving an interview live on air. The demonstrations, organized under the banner of “7 Days of Rage,” are in response to proposed tax hikes outlined in the Finance Bill 2024. President William Ruto has expressed a desire for dialogue with the protesters and has commended their actions, although security forces have been accused of abducting several prominent individuals, including bloggers, content creators, and human rights defenders.
Reports indicate that up to 12 people have gone missing after being allegedly abducted ahead of the planned protests. The director of a resource investigating the disappearances expressed concern over the lack of legal assistance for the missing individuals and the distress faced by their families. The source has reached out to the Kenyan police for comment on the matter.
These protests come at a time when Kenya's international standing is on the rise, with US President Joe Biden designating the country as a “major non-NATO ally.” This move, announced during President Ruto's state visit to the White House, marks a significant milestone in the diplomatic relations between the US and Kenya, with the latter being the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive such a designation.
