NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Police in Kenya fired live ammunition at anti-government protesters in the capital Nairobi on Tuesday. thousands continued to gather demanding lawmakers vote against new taxes proposed in a controversial funding bill.
Two people were killed during protests last week but there were no immediate reports of new victims on Tuesday.
Medics have set up temporary emergency shelters in several cities with supplies donated by Kenyans.
The third round of protests took place as lawmakers voted on the financing bill that would introduce new taxes, including an eco-tax that would increase the price of goods such as sanitary towels and diapers. A proposal to tax bread was withdrawn after public outcry, but protesters are still calling on parliament not to pass the bill.
Kenya’s Human Rights Commission on Tuesday shared a video of officers shooting at protesters and said they would be held accountable.
The committee wrote to X and addressed the president William Ruto: “The world is watching your descent into tyranny! Your regime’s actions are an attack on democracy. All those involved in the shooting – active or passive – must be held accountable.”
Kenya Law Society president Faith Odhiambo said on Tuesday that 50 Kenyans, including her personal assistant, had been “kidnapped” by people believed to be police officers. She said there were cases of extrajudicial killings, police kidnappings, torture and people being held incommunicado for days.
The missing included those who made their voices heard during the ongoing demonstrations and were taken from their homes, workplaces and public spaces ahead of Tuesday’s protests, civil society groups said.
Police officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment.
Parliament Speaker Moses Wetangula on Tuesday ordered the Inspector General of Police to provide information on the whereabouts of those the opposition says were kidnapped by police.
Ruto on Sunday said he was proud of the youths who had come out to perform their democratic duty and said he would engage the youths in their concerns. Ruto was currently outside the capital attending an African Union retreat.
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