At least five protesters have been killed by police in Kenya and a section of parliament has gone up in flames as demonstrations against new tax proposals intensify.
An angry crowd broke through police lines to storm parliament in the capital Nairobi before setting parts of it on fire.
In a speech on Tuesday evening, President William Ruto said all means would be used to “thwart any attempts by dangerous criminals to undermine the security and stability of our country.
He has deployed the army to parliament and other places to quell protests.
Protests have been going on for days against an unpopular finance bill, which provides for several tax increases.
But the escalation escalated Tuesday when lawmakers passed an amended bill.
Protesters broke into parliament, vandalizing the interior and setting parts of the complex on fire.
The ceremonial mace, which symbolizes the lawgiver’s authority, was stolen.
According to the Kenya Medical Association, police opened fire with live ammunition, killing at least five people.
A BBC journalist at the scene reported seeing bodies lying in pools of blood on the street.
“There are some things that are difficult to understand, such as how can you impose a 16% tax on bread? How can sanitary pads be taxed?” 24-year-old Derrick Mwathu told the BBC, referring to some of the proposals contained in the original bill.
What are Kenya’s controversial tax proposals?
Kenya’s president faces tough choices after deadly protests
President Ruto promised a tough response to what he called “violence and anarchy”.
“It is neither appropriate nor conceivable that criminals posing as peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people, their elected representatives and the institutions established by our Constitution and expect to go unpunished,” Ruto added.
Hundreds of people were reportedly injured, including by rubber bullets and tear gas.
At a Nairobi cathedral, where a medical camp had been set up to treat injured protesters, a BBC journalist witnessed soldiers expelling doctors from the building.
Another temporary unit has been set up outside the emergency department at Kenyatta National Hospital.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta urged dialogue, saying Kenya’s leaders should “know that power and authority are given to them by the people.”
Although the government has backtracked on some proposals in the original bill, protesters have called for its withdrawal in its entirety.
Maureen Awuor, 23, said: “Our voice needs to be heard… We are the generation that is emerging, so they need to listen to us.”
The protests have made headlines across Africa and other parts of the world.
Two of Africa’s leading anti-establishment figures, Ugandan opposition leader Bobi Wine and radical South African politician Julius Malema, have both expressed their support for the protesters.
Western countries have expressed concern about the violence and called for calm. [BBC]
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