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On 25 June 2024, thousands of protesters stormed the Kenyan Parliament Building in Nairobi in response to the passing of the Kenya Finance Bill 2024, as part of the wider Kenya Finance Bill protests. The protest escalated when the protesters set part of the building on fire.[4] Nineteen people died in Nairobi during the demonstrations as the police responded by shooting at the protesters.[2] President William Ruto declined to sign the bill the following day.[1]
| 2024 Parliament of Kenya assault | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Part of Kenya Finance Bill protests | |||
 Parliament Building in 2015 | |||
| Date | 25 June 2024 | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | Passing of the Kenya Finance Bill 2024 by the Parliament of Kenya | ||
| Resulted in | President William Ruto declines to sign the Bill[1] | ||
| Parties | |||
| |||
| Casualties and losses | |||
Background
The assault was triggered by the passage of a new finance bill on 25 June 2024 that was met with widespread public disapproval due to its proposed tax increases and had resulted in protests since it was unveiled on 18 June. The bill imposed a 16% tax on goods and services for the construction and equipping of specialized hospitals, and increased import taxes from 2.5% to 3%. Certain initial proposals, including a 16% sales tax on bread and 25% duty on cooking oil, were dropped beforehand because of public opposition.[5] The passage of the bill was boycotted by opposition MPs, who left the chamber during the parliamentary session.[6]
Assault
Protesters, many of whom were youth, overwhelmed the police and entered the parliament building shortly after the finance bill was passed.[7] Thousands broke through police barriers and stormed the compound. Part of the building was also set on fire, while several rooms were ransacked and cars parked outside were vandalised.[8] The ceremonial mace used in legislative proceedings was stolen.[9] MPs who were inside the building fled the scene through tunnels. Police also opened fire on the protesters.[10] A major internet disruption was recorded by NetBlocks in Kenya "amidst a deadly crackdown by police".[11]
Other incidents
The nearby office of the governor of Nairobi City County was also set on fire. Protesters tried to storm the State House in Nakuru. Protests also occurred in Mombasa, Eldoret, Kisumu and Nyeri. In Embu, the offices of the ruling United Democratic Alliance were set on fire.[10][8] Looting was reported in Nairobi, while several buildings in Eldoret were also set on fire.[12]
Casualties
According to the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights, 19 people died during demonstrations in Nairobi with over 160 people being treated for injuries.[a] Amnesty International reported that over 200 people were injured.[3] Activist Auma Obama was injured by tear gas while protesting at the Parliament Building.[13]
Aftermath
The assault on the building was the most direct attack on the Kenyan Government in decades.[14] In an address to the nation following the attack, President William Ruto described the incident as "treasonous" and said that the demonstrations had been "hijacked by dangerous people". He also pledged a strong response against "violence and anarchy." The Kenya Defence Forces were subsequently deployed to help restore order.[8] Soldiers reportedly injured "hundreds" of people with tear gas and rubber bullets when they cleared out a medical camp that had been set up for injured protesters.[15] In the Nairobi suburb of Githurai, police said they had used more than 700 blank rounds in an overnight operation to disperse protesters.[16]
On 26 June, activists called for peaceful protests on 27 June to oppose the finance bill and to honor those killed in the violence.[12] That same day, Ruto announced that he was rejecting and withdrawing the finance bill.[1]
Reactions
Domestic
Opposition leader Raila Odinga condemned the crackdown on protestors and urged the withdrawal of the finance bill.[2] Former president Uhuru Kenyatta called for dialogue, saying that the country's leaders should "know that power and authority is donated to them by the people".[9] Faith Odhiambo, the President of the Law Society of Kenya, stated that everyone involved, actively or passively, must be held accountable for their actions.[14] The Kenya Human Rights Commission urged President Ruto to issue an immediate order to "stop the killings". A group of Catholic bishops also urged police not to attack protesters and called on the government to listen to grievances over the "unwarranted" taxes.[10]
International
Chairman of the African Union Commission Moussa Faki called for "peace, security and stability" in Kenya.[17] Diplomats from the United States and 12 other western countries expressed shock at the violence in parliament,[10] while United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also expressed concern.[11] Amnesty International said that "the pattern of policing protests is deteriorating fast" and called on the government to respect the right to assembly.[8]
Notes
References
- ^ a b c Paravicini, Giulia; Ross, Aaron (27 June 2024). "Kenya president backs down on tax hikes after deadly unrest". Reuters. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d Pietromarchi, Virginia; Gadzo, Mersiha (26 June 2024). "Kenya tax protests updates: Ruto declines signing finance bill after unrest". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
- ^ a b "At least 200 injured, 100 arrested in Kenya tax protests: Rights groups". Al Jazeera. Archived from the original on 23 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Musambi, Evelyne (25 June 2024). "Part of Kenya's parliament burns as thousands of protesters enter. Bodies seen after police bullets". SFGate.
- ^ Rukanga, Basillioh. "What are Kenya's controversial tax proposals?". BBC. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ Muhumuza, Rodney (26 June 2024). "Here's what led Kenyans to burn part of parliament and call for the president's resignation". Associated Press.
- ^ "Part of Kenya's parliament is on fire as thousands of protesters enter. Several bodies are seen". Stars and Stripes. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d "At least five killed, parliament set ablaze in Kenya tax protests". France 24. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Five killed and parliament ablaze in Kenya tax protests". BBC. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b c d Musambi, Evelyne (26 June 2024). "Anti-tax protesters storm Kenya's parliament, drawing police fire as president vows to quash unrest". Associated Press. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Several killed as Kenyan police open fire on anti-tax bill protesters". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Activists call for new protests in Kenya following deadly police crackdown". Al Jazeera. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Obama's half-sister hit with tear gas in Kenya protests, video shows". Reuters. 25 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ a b "Part of Kenya's parliament on fire as thousands of protesters enter". NBC News. 25 June 2024. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
- ^ "Kenya finance bill protests: Thirteen reported killed in Nairobi". www.bbc.com. Archived from the original on 25 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Kenyan police fire blanks to disperse protesters hours after parliament breached". Africanews. 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.
- ^ "UN Secretary General Guterres and AUC chairperson Moussa Faki condemn violence in Kenya's protests". Citizen Digital. 26 June 2024. Archived from the original on 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 June 2024.