‘Violence and anarchy’ on streets of Kenya as youth rally against crippling tax hikes

Chaos has erupted in a major city as hundreds of protesters stormed the capital before being locked in a brutal battle with the military.

WARNING: Graphic

Disturbing images have emerged from Kenya after a massive protest against a proposed tax hike spiralled out of control, leaving at least five dead and buildings ablaze.

The clashes between police and demonstrators came as the parliament compound in the capital Nairobi was stormed.

The military was immediately brought in to quell the madness, with authorities reportedly deployed tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and in some cases live ammunition, according to human rights organisation Amnesty Kenya.

“Despite the assurance by the government that the right to assembly would be protected and facilitated, today’s protests have spiralled into violence,” several NGOs said in a joint release reporting the casualties.

The White House has called for calm, and more than ten Western nations, including Canada, Germany, and Britain, expressed shock over the violent scenes outside the Kenyan parliament.

The protests, mainly driven by disaffected youth, stem from outrage over a proposed tax raise and a cost-of-living crisis that has whittled away at law and order in the nation of 52 million.

Late on Thursday, Kenya’s President William Ruto said he had axed the tax rises in wake of the protests. But that will leave the government struggling to provide services due to a $120 billion debt burden that swallows up half the nation’s current tax revenue in repayments.

It’s not clear if the tax backdown will quell the anger.

People cross a street with strewn debris in the aftermath of clashes between protesters and riot police near Nairobi’s parliament buildings.

The military was immediately brought in to quell the madness, with authorities reportedly deployed tear gas, water cannons, rubber bullets, and in some cases live ammunition.

Kenyan President William Ruto vowed to take a tough line against ‘violence and anarchy’.

“This is the voice of the young people of Kenya,” said Elizabeth Nyaberi, a 26-year-old lawyer at the protest.

“They are tear-gassing us, but we don’t care. We are here to speak for our generations and the generations to come.”

Crowds threw stones at police, broke through barricades, and entered the parliament grounds.

Local TV footage showed destroyed parliament rooms with smashed windows, vandalised cars and destroyed flags. The governor’s office in Nairobi City Hall was set on fire, with authorities using water cannons in attempt to extinguish the flames.

Following reports of live ammunition being used, Kenya’s main opposition coalition, Azimio, accused the government of “unleashing brute force on our country’s children”.

Government buildings were set alight in the chaos.

A protester carries a Kenyan flag walks through the madness.

“Kenya cannot afford to kill its children just because the children are asking for food, jobs, and a listening ear,” the party said.

Authorities said they military’s deployment a response to the “security emergency” across Kenya.

Protests also occurred in Mombasa, Kisumu, and Eldoret, as shown on Kenyan TV channels.

The independent Policing Oversight Authority and rights groups reported two deaths from last week’s protests in Nairobi. Amnesty International Kenya said at least 200 people were injured in those protests.

Amnesty’s Kenya chapter posted on X, stating, “the pattern of policing protests is deteriorating fast,” and urged the government to respect the right to assembly.

Rights groups have also accused authorities of abducting protesters, often at night, by police officers in civilian clothes and unmarked cars.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission has since called for the “unconditional release of all abductees”.

Riot police secure a supermarket that was looted and vandalised.

Rights groups have also accused authorities of abducting protesters.

Country’s $120bn debt

Kenya has a $120bn ($US89bn) debt which the tax increases were designed to help pay off.

While the government has rolled back some tax increases, it still plans to increase fuel prices and export taxes, moves critics argue will further burden Kenyans already facing a crippling inflation rate.

Kenya, despite having one of the most dynamic economies in east Africa, still sees a third of people living in poverty.

While the contentious finance bill being axed, some protesters are now demanding the President resign before they stop their actions.

President Ruto condemned the “violence and anarchy” that unfolded on Tuesday.

“We shall provide a full, effective and expeditious response to today’s treasonous events,” Mr Ruto said.

It was inconceivable that “criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people, their elected representatives and the institutions established under our constitution and expect to go scot-free,” Mr Ruto added.

“I hereby put on notice the planners, financiers, orchestrators, abetters of violence and anarchy.”