Five people have been reported killed as police and demonstrators clashed in Kenyan capital Nairobi following massive protests about new taxes, sparking outrage across the country as protests spread in other parts of Kenya.
The Kenyan parliament was set on fire after protesters opposed to new tax laws invaded the complex. Some MPs reportedly sheltered in the parliament’s basement after they passed a controversial finance bill that seeks to introduce new taxes.
The police reportedly intervened after it appeared that the MPs were threatened even as more properties were torched.
Meanwhile the influential Catholic Church in Kenya has condemned the violence and urged the government of William Ruto to give time to aggrieved citizens and address the “pain caused by the escalating cost of living” in the country.
The Catholic bishops in a statement said “We plead with the president to listen to the voices of so many Kenyans. The country is bleeding.”
“Young people are right to express their desperation,” the bishops added even as they urged young people to avoid destroying property.
Also denouncing the crackdown on protesters by the government, a group of ambassadors and high commissioners for countries including Britain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the US and the Netherlands have issued a statement expressing “concern” at the violence ensuing at the protests.
“We are especially shocked by the scenes witnessed outside the Kenyan Parliament,” the British High Commission posted on Facebook.
“We regret the tragic loss of life and injuries sustained including the use of live fire,” they said. The group says it is also “deeply concerned” by “allegations of abductions of protesters”, and is calling for “restraint on all sides”.
“All actors have the responsibility to respect, uphold, promote and uphold the rule of law, particularly by ensuring a proportionate security response”.
Other countries that signed the statement include the embassy of Finland, Estonia, Norway, Sweden, Romania and Belgium.
The demonstrations were triggered by a controversial finance bill that was passed on Tuesday that raises a number of different taxes.
Although the Ruto-led government had withdrawn some of the taxes considered to be the most controversial ones – such as a tax on bread and cooking oil, this people were not persuaded.
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