Kenya’s president deployed the military today to crack down on what he called “treasonous” protesters.
Demonstrators furious over the passage of a bill that would raise taxes stormed the Parliament building in Nairobi, climbed in windows and set fire to the entrance.
The police fired at the protesters, who had flooded the streets around the Parliament by the thousands — some draped in the Kenyan flag and chanting for the president to resign.
The contentious bill was introduced by Ruto’s government in May to address the country’s heavy debt burden.
But Kenyans have widely criticized the legislation, saying it adds punitive new taxes and raises others on staple goods.
Persons:
William Ruto, “
Organizations:
Kenyan, Amnesty International
Locations:
Nairobi