Kenyan President William Ruto said this Tuesday (25) that the “legitimate” protests against a bill to increase taxes in the country were “infiltrated and taken over by a group of organized criminals”.
Ruto condemned what he called an “unprecedented attack” on democracy after protesters trying to storm parliament clashed with police, leaving at least five people dead.
In a national address, the Kenyan president promised that the full strength of Kenya’s security services would be mobilized to prevent further unrest.
The country was gripped by several days of protests in which demonstrators forced the police to briefly enter parliament this Tuesday (25), while tax reform was debated.
However, the president’s rhetoric signaled that there is no retreat in efforts to collect the 2.7 billion dollars in new taxes to alleviate the costs of the national debt.
Ruto thanked the security forces for defending the country and said the safety of Kenyans remained his “highest priority”. The Kenyan leader made no mention of the violent tactics used against what he called “criminals pretending to be peaceful protesters.”
The politician won elections almost two years ago on a platform of defending Kenya’s working poor, but has come under pressure from competing demands from creditors such as the International Monetary Fund, which is urging the government to reduce deficits to obtain more financing.
Protesters were killed in the protests
Police fired on protesters trying to storm Kenya’s parliament on Tuesday, with at least five protesters killed and sections of the parliament building set on fire as lawmakers inside passed a bill to raise taxes.
Protests and clashes also occurred in several other cities and towns across Kenya. Many of the protesters called for President William Ruto to resign from office, as well as opposing tax increases.
In chaotic scenes, protesters overpowered police and chased them away in an attempt to storm the parliament complex. Flames could be seen coming from inside.
Police fired tear gas and water cannons but were unable to disperse the crowd. A Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament.
Parliament approved the finance bill, passing it on for a third reading by lawmakers. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to the president for signature. He can return it to parliament if he has any objections.
Source: CNN Brasil
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