The Indian Embassy in Kenya issued an advisory on X and cautioned Indians residing in Kenya to restrict non-essential movements and abstain from visiting areas of protest and violence until the situation sees any improvement. The advisory surfaced amidst the ongoing unrest in the country. As per official data, about 20,000 Indians are currently residing in Kenya.
Protestors Attempt To Burn The Parliament Building, Police Opens Fire In Response Killing Five
Kenyan citizens were already fighting the cost-of-living crisis when the Kenyan parliament passed the approval for a contentious financial bill that encouraged tax increases. This fueled public agitation in the wake of the ongoing economic struggle. Thousands of protestors marched toward the Kenyan Parliament, objecting the financial bill. Protestors ended up burning part of the building. As a result of which, the Kenyan police opened fire on the protesting crowd, killing five people and wounding 31 of them. A few journalists witnessed the dead bodies of those who died.
Security Forces se Hostile Measures To Disperse The Crowd, Riot Police Forms Around The State House And Parliament Building
According to accounts from the eyewitnesses, the security forces resorted to throwing tear gas canisters at the protestors, using water cannons and live ammunition above the heads of protestors to disperse the crowd. In response to this, the demonstrators threw stones at the police and security forces. The riot police later surrounded the parliament building and the State House or the President’s residence.
UN Secretary-General Expresses Concern And Sorrow In The Wake Of Fatalities Reported During Protests In Kenya
Citizens who had voted Ruto into power two years ago for his promises of economic relief were agitated and moved to protest to demand the legislators to vote against the financial bill imposing high taxes. Lawmakers initially removed taxes on bread and cooking oil but left others unaffected by the tax hike to avoid a budget gap in the final financial bill. The clash quickly spread through other cities of the country. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his deep concern about the violence that erupted in Kenya due to high tax hikes. His spokesperson on Tuesday reported that he is saddened by the fatalities in the area.