The footage is of Kenya’s Parliament, where vandalism and arson took place.
Thousands of people took to the streets in the African country Kenya on Tuesday against the new tax bill. They crossed the barricades outside the Parliament and entered inside, where MPs were discussing the bill. After this, the protesters set the Parliament on fire.
During this, 5 people died in police firing, while about 31 people were injured. According to the New York Times, most of the youth participated in this demonstration. During the violence in Parliament, the MPs were evacuated through an underground tunnel. The protesters also vandalized the premises of the Parliament.
The Indian Embassy in Kenya has also appealed to the citizens to be cautious. Indians have been told not to go out of their homes unnecessarily and to stay away from places of violence. Also, keep in constant touch with the embassy.
After the vandalism and arson in Parliament, security personnel were seen deployed in the premises.
Barack Obama’s half sister also participated in the protest.
Police also used tear gas to control the protesters in Kenya’s capital Nairobi. Kenya’s social activist and former US President Barack Obama’s half sister Auma Obama was also a part of these protests. During the protest, people shouted slogans saying that Kenya never became independent. Colonialism is still going on here.
There have been protests in Kenya for several weeks against the tax bill. Under this bill, President William Ruto’s government is going to increase taxes in the country. Under this, revenue will be increased on all essential services in the country, from education to other services.
MPs said- It is necessary to increase tax for government work.
This bill was introduced in May. Most of the MPs present in the Parliament are in support of this bill. They believe that it is necessary to complete government work. Through the income from increasing revenue, the government will be able to build roads in the country, hire teachers in schools and give subsidy to farmers for fertilizer.
At the same time, the debt burden on the country will also be reduced. According to the MPs, if the bill is not implemented, work in government institutions will come to a standstill. During the voting on the bill on Tuesday, 106 out of 195 MPs voted in its favour.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets on Tuesday in Kenya’s capital, Nairobi.
Five people have died in the clash between police and protesters.
Police also used tear gas and water cannon to control the people.
A tear gas canister exploded in Nairobi amid protests.
Protesters said that the new tax will make it difficult to get food.
Kenyans say that due to the new law, essential commodities like eggs, onions and cooking oil will also become expensive. Apart from this, the government is also increasing taxes on goods and services. In such a situation, it will become difficult for the public to even have two meals a day.
The protesters alleged that President Ruto has been in power since 2022. His government has been continuously corrupt. Government funds have not been used properly. During the protest, the protesters also demanded Ruto’s resignation.
Allegations against the government- Opponents are kidnapped and tortured.
The protesters have alleged that they are receiving threatening phone calls because they are raising their voice for their rights. They have been threatened with death if they do not stop the protest. At the same time, the right wing organizations of the country have alleged that the government kidnaps its opponents and tortures them.
Seeing the protests, President Ruto announced the deployment of the army in the country. During a TV address, Ruto said that today the country has suffered a huge loss due to some dangerous people. We will give severe punishment to those responsible for this.
