This evening, tension reached its peak in the streets of Githurai, an eastern suburb of the Kenyan capital Nairobi. Authorities fired warning shots to disperse protests that broke out, causing scenes of chaos and violence. Videos circulating online and relayed by local media show the night torn apart by repeated explosions, with more than 700 blank bullets fired by the police to restore order in this area shaken by riots.
These events come just after thousands of protesters stormed part of Kenya’s Parliament earlier in the day. Scenes of devastation spread, with parts of the building engulfed in flames while members of parliament fled under threat from protesters.
The rise in popular protest came in response to the government’s proposed tax hikes, leading to a series of violent demonstrations. The reaction of the police did not take long, with brutal clashes which resulted in the death of several demonstrators as well as numerous injuries, numbering more than 100 people.
Faced with this unprecedented unrest, President William Ruto described the events as a betrayal and promised to firmly suppress any form of insurrection, putting in place a military deployment to support the police in this period of “security emergency”.
The United Nations expressed its deep sadness at the deadly incidents and called on the Kenyan authorities to exercise restraint, emphasizing the need for peaceful protests.
At the heart of these demonstrations, the anger of the Kenyan people was expressed against the deterioration of living conditions, the increases in the price of gasoline, foodstuffs and other basic necessities. Growing inequalities, combined with deep frustrations linked to widespread corruption, have crystallized the population’s discontent.
This wave of protests went beyond the country’s usual tribal divisions to bring together a large part of society around the rejection of the tax bill. It also sparked calls for dialogue and mutual listening, with the aim of seeking concerted and peaceful solutions to this national crisis.
In conclusion, these events mark a watershed moment for Kenya, highlighting the deep social and economic tensions shaking the country. Faced with violence and instability, the path of dialogue and mutual understanding appears to be the only possible outcome to ease tensions and build a more just and prosperous future for all Kenyans.