(Scypre.com) – At least five individuals lost their lives on Tuesday in Nairobi as Kenyan police opened fire on demonstrators protesting a contentious finance bill. The bill, part of the Finance Bill 2024, has ignited widespread unrest across the nation, prompting what has been termed as the “7 Days of Rage” protests.
Eyewitnesses, including a CNN team on the scene, reported scenes of chaos and tragedy. “We witnessed two bodies lying motionless on the ground,” said a CNN reporter amidst the turmoil.
According to a joint statement from Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenya Medical Association, the Law Society of Kenya, and the Police Reforms Working Group Kenya, the protests, intended to be peaceful, swiftly descended into violence. “Today’s protests have spiraled into violence, with reports of severe human rights violations,” the statement lamented.
The demonstrations reached a fever pitch as protesters stormed Kenya’s parliament building, setting it ablaze and prompting lawmakers to evacuate through underground tunnels. Nairobi’s City Hall was also engulfed in flames, as protesters clashed with security forces in various parts of the city.
The unrest has not been confined to physical confrontations alone; it has also encompassed digital spaces. Internet monitoring site NetBlocks reported a significant disruption to internet services during the height of the protests.
Prominent figures, including Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, were also caught in the crossfire. Obama, tear-gassed during a live CNN interview, underscored the intensity and unpredictability of the situation. “I can’t even see anymore, we’re being tear-gassed,” she exclaimed during the interview.
President William Ruto’s response to the protests has been mixed, expressing a desire for dialogue while accusations fly regarding the abduction of activists and prominent individuals critical of the government. Amnesty International Kenya has raised alarms over the disappearance of several individuals in the lead-up to the protests, describing the situation as alarming and calling for urgent investigations.
Meanwhile, on the international front, Kenya’s profile has gained prominence following US President Joe Biden’s recent designation of the country as a “major non-NATO ally.” This move, unprecedented for a sub-Saharan African nation, came during President Ruto’s state visit to Washington, celebrating six decades of diplomatic relations between Kenya and the United States.