A portion of Kenya’s parliament is on fire, just moments after demonstrators stormed the building by breaching police lines. Smoke was seen emanating from the facility in real-time on local television.
As police fired shots to break up the gathering, there have been reports of individuals getting hurt.
According to a human rights organization, four protestors were shot, and one person died as a result. There is no proof of this.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission stated that such acts are intolerable and a serious violation of people’s rights.
A police truck that was on fire was also depicted in the vicinity.
Security personnel have used tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the thousands of protestors who have been fighting with the police.
Protests have also taken place in other American cities and villages.
Companies are closed, and transportation is at a standstill.
Protests broke out shortly after Members of Parliament approved a contentious budget measure that included unpopular levies.
The demonstrators, who were mostly young, urged MPs to oppose the planned tax rises.
The administration claims that higher taxes are necessary to finance expenditure plans and reduce the debt load, even though it has backtracked on some of the most divisive policies.
A police officer was heard telling his colleagues to “get the rubber bullets from the box” by an AFP journalist earlier. Subsequently, it was alleged that the police opened fire on the demonstrators in the air.
The parliament and other important government buildings were guarded by officers. Protesters were able to access the facility, though.
The crowds were far larger than in prior protests, according to a BBC reporter in Nairobi, and the police appeared to be overpowered.
“Reject the finance bill,” the demonstrators had been yelling, and they had promised to enter parliament.
