Kenya deploys military, 5 killed as ‘treasonous’ tax protesters storm parliament

A protester tries to escape by the baton blows of a policeman during a demonstration in Nairobi, on June 25, 2024. Kenyan police fired tear gas at crowds of young protesters in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday, as demonstrators rallied across the country against the government’s proposed tax increases. (Simon Maina/AFP)

Kenya deployed military units to support the police across the country on Tuesday “in response to the security emergency caused by the ongoing violent protests” across the country “resulting in destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure”, Defence Minister Aden Bare Duale said in a statement.

Kenyan President William Ruto suggested protesters could expect a heavy-handed response, calling the demonstrations “treasonous” and saying a debate on taxes had been “hijacked by dangerous people”.

Two days before, Ruto expressed his pride in the mostly young protesters and said he was ready to have a conversation with them.