Anti-tax protesters enter Kenya's parliament as clashes with police intensify, resulting in deaths

(25 Jun 2024)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:

ASSOCIATED PRESS
Nairobi - 25 June 2024
1. Protesters with police
2. Protesters walking down road, police watching, pan to police at side of road
3. Protesters running as tear gas is fired
4. Protester with Kenyan flag around his shoulders being hauled away by police, pan to police on horseback
5. Various of security personnel firing tear gas, protester in front of them goes down on his knee
6. Various of demonstrators inside parliament grounds
7. Mid of security forces truck on fire
STORYLINE:
Part of Kenya's parliament building was on fire Tuesday as thousands of protesters opposing a new finance bill entered and legislators fled, in the most direct assault on the government in decades.

Journalists saw at least three bodies outside the complex where police had opened fire.

Protesters had demanded that legislators vote against the bill imposing new taxes on a country, East Africa's economic hub, where frustrations over the high cost of living have simmered for years.

Youth who had voted President William Ruto into power with cheers for his promises of economic relief have taken to the streets to object to the pain of reforms.

But lawmakers voted to pass the bill, then fled through a tunnel as protesters, many of them youth, outmaneuvered police to enter parliament.

At least five people were shot dead while treating the wounded, the Kenya Medical Association and other groups said in a joint statement. It said more than 30 people were wounded, at least 13 with live bullets.

As the sun set hours later, Kenya's government still had no comment. Internet service in the country noticeably slowed in what NetBlocks called a “major disruption.”

Ruto was outside Nairobi attending an African Union retreat.

He had been expected to sign the finance bill into law this week and has two weeks to act.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel +44(0)2074827482 Email: [email protected].

Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork
Twitter:   / ap_archive  
Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​
Instagram:   / apnews  


You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...