Kenyan protesters storm Parliament Complex over new tax laws, one reportedly shot

NAIROBI — Anti-tax protesters in the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, reportedly forced their way into the complex where parliament sits.

The BBC reported that a human rights organization witnessed four protesters being shot and mentioned that one person had been killed, though this had not been confirmed.

“Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a grave violation of human rights,” the NGO Kenya Human Rights Commission stated.

Thousands of protesters have been engaged in running battles with the police with security officers firing rubber bullets and teargas to break up the crowds. There have been concurrent protests around the country.

The push by the protesters came just as MPs passed a controversial finance bill that introduced unpopular tax proposals. Throughout the day, businesses were shut, and transport was paralyzed in the city as police engaged in running battles with demonstrators.

The youth-led protests have been calling on MPs to reject the proposed tax increases.

The government, which has scaled back some of the most controversial measures, argues that new taxes are needed to fund spending programs and reduce the debt burden.

The protesters, who had been shouting “reject the finance bill,” vowed to reach the parliament complex.

“We are coming to reject the taxes that are being imposed… We had been given promises that within two years we would see change, but what change are we seeing?” 24-year-old Derrick Mwathu told the BBC.

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