President of Kenya William Ruto says tax protest was hijacked after it turned violent.
A new report by SowetanLIVE reveals that Kenyan President William Ruto said in a statement on Tuesday that security was his “utmost priority.” This comes after protests erupted in the capital, Nairobi against a bill to raise taxes during which things turned violent. The police were reported to have fired shots at demonstrators trying to storm the legislature, and five lives were lost.
According to local media, after failing to dispel the protesters with teargas and water cannon, police in Nairobi opened fire on them. Eventually, they managed to drive protesters from the parliament building after which lawmakers were evacuated through an underground tunnel.
The publication writes that the police were overwhelmed and chased away by protesters who attempted to enter the parliament compound. Citizen TV later showed the extent of the damage from inside the building, which was partially set ablaze. Also, protests and clashed were reported to have also happened in several other towns and cities across the country all opposing the rise in taxes.
Speaking in a televised address, President Ruto stated that the tax debate was “hijacked by dangerous people”. He said,
“It is not in order, or even conceivable, that criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters can reign terror against the people…,” He also promised to respond swiftly to the “treasonous events” of Tuesday.
