Anti-tax riots rock Kenya, as president vows crackdown on ‘treasonous’ protesters

NAIROBI, Kenya — Thousands of demonstrators flooded the streets of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, and some broke into Parliament and briefly set fire to the entrance on Tuesday, after lawmakers approved tax increases that critics said would drive up the cost of living for millions.

During the protests, police fired tear gas and guns, plunging the capital into turmoil. At least five people were fatally shot and 31 others injured, according to Amnesty International and several prominent Kenyan civic organizations. The toll could not be immediately confirmed. The independent Kenya Human Rights Commission posted a video that showed police officers firing as protesters marched toward them.

As tear gas wafted through the streets, some protesters climbed through the windows of Parliament after lawmakers voted 195-106 in favor of the tax bill Tuesday, with supporters saying it would raise revenue for education and other essential services.

Kenya President William Ruto said he was deploying the military to crack down on what he called “treasonous events.” In a televised address Tuesday night, Ruto said the debate about the tax bill had been “hijacked by dangerous people who have caused us the kind of loss we have incurred as a nation today.” He vowed to punish those he said were responsible.

Defense Minister Aden Duale said the defense forces had been deployed to support police, who he said were responding to the “security emergency” caused by the protests.