The President of Kenya has characterized the storming of the parliament as a threat to national security and vowed to prevent such unrest from happening again "at all costs." This comes after thousands of protesters demonstrating against the new finance bill stormed the parliament, setting fire to parts of the building, causing parliamentarians to flee in disarray.
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02-11, 2025The violent demonstrations on Tuesday represented the most direct challenge to the Kenyan government in decades. According to journalists, at least three bodies were observed outside the parliament building, where police had opened fire. Medical workers reported five additional deaths. The clashes have spread to other cities, and there have been no reports of arrests so far.
Police fired tear gas, resulting in multiple protesters, including former U.S. President Barack Obama's half-sister, receiving treatment in hospitals. President Ruto called the events "treasonous" and stated, "Today's events mark a critical turning point in how we respond to threats to our national security." The government is taking these incidents extremely seriously and will not hesitate to protect the country.
Kenya's Defense Minister stated that the military has been deployed to support the police in responding to "security emergencies" and "the destruction of critical infrastructure." Protesters are demanding that politicians vote against the bill, which imposes new taxes on the East African economic hub, amidst growing public discontent over the high cost of living. The situation is volatile, and the government is trying to restore order.
Despite parliamentarians voting to pass the bill and subsequently escaping through a tunnel, protesters successfully breached police lines and flooded the parliament building. The fire was later extinguished. The Kenya Medical Association and other groups said in a statement that at least five people were shot dead while treating the injured, and more than 30 others were injured, with at least 13 suffering from live ammunition wounds.
Police used live ammunition and threw tear gas at protesters seeking treatment in nearby church medical tents. The Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi stated that it had received 45 "victims." According to CNN, former U.S. President Barack Obama's half-sister was also injured in the tear gas attack. This has further inflamed the situation and increased the public's anger.
A Kenyan-British activist, Auma Obama, also participated in the protests, saying, "I can't see anything, we are being tear-gassed. Look at what's happening, young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights, they are waving flags and banners." The use of force against peaceful protestors is generating international concern.
Ruto was previously attending an African Union retreat outside of Nairobi. He is expected to sign the finance bill into law this week. He has two weeks to act but faces calls from religious and other leaders to reconsider. The decision he makes will have significant implications for the country's future.
