Death rate in Kenya protest rises to 13
Date
6/27/2024 8:59:59 AM
(MENAFN) Protests in Kenya over tax hikes turned violent, resulting in a death toll of 13 as confirmed by a senior official from the main doctors' association to AFP on Wednesday. The demonstrations, initially peaceful and led mainly by youth, escalated dramatically on Tuesday when police fired live rounds at protestors who later stormed and vandalized parliament. This unprecedented unrest, which included parts of parliament being set on fire and numerous injuries, has deeply unsettled Kenyans and prompted President William Ruto's government to deploy military forces.
The rallies, which began peacefully last week with large-scale marches in Nairobi and other parts of the country against tax increases, turned confrontational on Tuesday afternoon. In response to the escalating violence, Defence Minister Aden Bare Duale announced the military's deployment to assist police in addressing what he termed a "security emergency."
Simon Kigondu, president of the Kenya Medical Association, confirmed at least 13 deaths so far, noting that the final casualty count may rise. He expressed shock at the level of violence inflicted on unarmed demonstrators, describing it as unprecedented in his experience.
Newspapers like the Standard and Daily Nation highlighted the severity of the situation with headlines such as "Deaths, mayhem" and "Pandemonium," respectively, emphasizing the profound impact of the unrest on the country's stability. According to an official at Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi, medical staff are treating 160 individuals, many with injuries ranging from soft tissue damage to gunshot wounds.
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