Demonstrations
Violent escalation: More protests expected in Kenya
The protests against planned tax increases escalate and violence breaks out. Photo
© Brian Inganga/AP/dpa
Despite deaths and injuries, young Kenyans want to continue protesting – against higher taxes. The government is taking countermeasures.
After initially peaceful protests, violence is now increasing on both sides. Yesterday, hundreds of demonstrators stormed the parliament in Nairobi. They set fire to part of the building. The police fired live ammunition at protesters. In the evening, the military was called in to reinforce the police.
The human rights organization Amnesty International, which sent teams of observers to demonstrations, reported five demonstrators dead and at least 13 who had suffered gunshot wounds. There were no official figures on the total number of dead and injured even late in the evening.
Two people were killed in the protests last week. An alliance of human rights groups criticized the police’s unnecessary brutality.
Criminal infiltration
In a televised address, Kenya’s President William Ruto blamed “organized criminals” for storming parliament after peaceful protests. The protests had been infiltrated and subverted, said Ruto. “Today’s events are a turning point in how we respond to serious threats to our national security,” stressed Ruto. The government has mobilized all resources at its disposal to ensure that the incidents are not repeated.
Supporters of the protests rejected reports of criminal infiltration in numerous social media posts.
The representatives of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Kenya appealed to Ruto not to sign the tax law after it was passed by parliament. Greater public participation in the law is necessary, said the bishops.
Federal Foreign Office: increased caution
The Foreign Office called on German visitors and Germans living in the East African country to exercise increased caution via its crisis preparedness list. Further violent protests are to be expected in the coming days, it said in an email sent on Tuesday evening.
“Avoid unnecessary travel in cities where violent protests are taking place. Stay in a safe place,” is the recommendation. Even outside the capital Nairobi, people should stay away from government buildings. Kenya is a popular holiday destination for beach and safari vacationers.