On Tuesday (25 June), thousands of protesters demonstrated in Kenya stormed the parliament building and set parts of it on fire, according to The Associated Press. Now social media users around the world are calling for more discussion about what is happening in the African country.
But the question remains: WHAT exactly caused these protests and the escalation on Tuesday? Here is an overview of what happened, the impact so far and the ultimate goal of the protests.
NAIROBI, KENYA – JUNE 25: Kenyan police officers stand as fire erupts from the Parliament building during a protest against the Finance Bill on June 25, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images)
Support for Kenya's president takes a turn
According to AP President William Ruto came to power by appealing to the common people, calling himself a “hustler” and promising relief from economic problems. The country's officials swore him into office in September 2022. Less than two years later, support for him has taken a drastic turn.
During the election campaign, President Ruto promised to put more money into Kenyans' pockets. When his government cut subsidies for fuel and maize flour, many Kenyans saw this as a betrayal.
Ruto, now fabulously wealthy, frequently calls on Kenyans to tighten their belts. But his state visit to the US in May sparked controversy when he chartered a luxury private jet rather than using the presidential jet or Kenya's national airline. Ruto later said friends had paid for the chartered jet, but he did not give their names.
Police reaction to the protests
As mentioned, part of Parliament burned down on Tuesday as protesters entered and lawmakers fled. AP reports that bodies were lying in the streets when police opened fire, according to witnesses from medical staff and guard dogs.
At least five people were shot while treating the injured, according to the Kenya Medical Association. More than 30 people were injured, at least 13 of them by live ammunition.
In addition, police fired live ammunition and threw tear gas grenades at protesters seeking treatment at a medical tent in a nearby church. Elsewhere in the city, Kenyatta National Hospital reported that it had admitted 45 “casualties.”
Kenyan police officers in riot gear storm the parliament during a protest against the Finance Bill on June 25, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images) Protesters tear down one of the fences of Parliament during a protest against the Finance Bill on June 25, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images) Kenyan police officers stand in formation behind a cloud of tear gas as they clash with protesters during a nationwide strike to protest against tax hikes and the Finance Bill 2024 in downtown Nairobi on June 25, 2024. (LUIS TATO / AFP) (Photo by LUIS TATO/AFP via Getty Images)
The financial law at the centre of the chaos
The country's youth in particular are strongly opposed to a financial draft that the authorities presented to the public for the first time on June 18. They warn that it will worsen Kenya's economic problems, including the already high cost of living.
But for lawmakers, the Finance Bill is designed to raise or introduce taxes or fees on a range of everyday items and services, including internet data, fuel, bank transfers and diapers. As anger grew, some of the bill's measures have already been scrapped.
Still, MPs pushed ahead with passage despite opposition in a runoff vote. The bill now awaits President Ruto's signature and is expected to be signed this week, according to AP. He has two weeks to act but is clearly facing calls from protesters, religious and other leaders to reconsider.
For context: The proposals are part of the Kenyan government's efforts to raise an additional $2.7 billion in domestic revenue. The government says the changes are necessary to pay interest on the national debt, reduce the budget deficit and keep the government running.
How the protests began and escalated to the fire in Parliament
Note that this is not President Ruto's first finance bill to face opposition. A 2023 finance bill signed by Ruto was also unpopular, although anger did not escalate as much. That bill included a tax on salaries for housing.
Since June 18, young Kenyans have been organizing on social media and taking to the streets. Their actions include peaceful street demonstrations to force the authorities to drop the finance law altogether.
The protests began in Nairobi but have spread to other parts of Kenya, including the Indian Ocean city of Mombasa and even Eldoret.
NAIROBI, KENYA – JUNE 25: Protesters tear down one of the fences of Parliament during a protest against the Finance Bill on June 25, 2024 in Nairobi, Kenya. (Photo by Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images) (Photo: Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images) Protesters react in front of Kenyan police officers during a protest against the Finance Bill on June 25, 2024 in Nairobi. (Photo by Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images) NAIROBI, KENYA – JUNE 25 (Patrick Meinhardt/Getty Images)
According to TMZ, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, Auma Obama, was also caught up in the escalation. While CNN was interviewing her, Auma was shot at with tear gas in the streets of the capital.
(Photo by Peter Timmullstein via Getty Images)
Kenya’s president reacts
Reacting to the incident in Parliament, President Ruto described it as a threat to national security and reportedly vowed that such unrest would not happen again “at any cost”.
“Today's events mark a critical turning point in our response to threats to our national security,” Ruto said, calling the events “treasonous.”
Ruto had attended a meeting of the African Union outside Nairobi.
Kenya's defence minister said authorities had deployed the military to assist police during the “security emergency” and “incursion into critical infrastructure”.
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Associated Press writers Rodney Muhumuza and Evelyne Musambi contributed to this report.
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