Mass protest against new taxes turn violent in Kenya: Top developments

NEW DELHI: The Kenyan parliament passed a controversial finance bill on Tuesday, which increases taxes, amidst violent clashes between police and protesters in Nairobi and other cities across the country.
Witnesses reported that police employed tear gas, water cannons, and fired shots over the heads of demonstrators to disperse the crowds, while protesters retaliated by throwing stones at security forces.
As lawmakers debated the tax bill, riot police cordoned off the parliament building and State House, which houses the president's office and residence. The parliament approved the measures and adjourned while protesters gathered outside the building.
The protesters are against the tax hikes in a nation already grappling with a severe cost-of-living crisis, with many also demanding the resignation of President William Ruto.
Here are the latest developments:
Security of Kenyans 'utmost priority', says President Ruto
Kenyan President William Ruto held a press briefing after violent protests that marred the streets of the nation. Talking to the media, he said that the security of Kenyans was his "utmost priority".
Condemning the violent protests as "treasonous", Ruto said that discussions over tax hike had been "hijacked by dangerous people".

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged restraint in Kenya by police and security forces and called for protesters to be peaceful, UN spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.
"It is very important that the rights of people to demonstrate peacefully be upheld," Dujarric said
Kenya unrest: India issues advisory to citizens
In view of the prevailing tense situation, all Indians in Kenya are advised to exercise utmost caution, restrict non-essential movement and avoid the areas affected by the protests and violence till the situation clears up.
Fire erupts in governor's office in Nairobi
A fire was erupted at the governor's office in Kenya's capital, Nairobi, TV footage showed, as protesters angry over proposed tax hikes breached the nearby parliament complex, which was also partly ablaze.
Footage broadcast on privately owned Citizen TV showed police trying to douse the flames at City Hall with water cannon, after protests turned violent, with rights groups accusing officers of firing live rounds, leaving one dead and many wounded.
Kenya's parliament compound stormed, parts of building set ablaze
Portions of the Kenyan parliament building were engulfed in flames after demonstrators overpowered police forces and breached the complex. The passage of the contentious legislation, which aims to introduce additional taxes, appears to have sparked the violent response from the demonstrators.
As the situation escalated, sections of the parliament building were reported to be on fire, highlighting the intensity of the unrest.
At least 10 people shot dead during protests in Kenya's capital
At least ten people were shot dead in Kenya's capital, a paramedic said, as protests turned into violent clashes with police.
Kenyan police shot dead protesters near the parliament a rights group said, as demonstrators angry over proposed tax hikes breached barricades and entered the parliamentary complex, where a fire erupted.
"Police have shot four protesters, as witnessed by KHRC, killing one. We strongly condemn the police killing," the Kenya Human Rights Commission said on X.
50 injured by gunfire during tax protests in Nairobi
At least 50 people were injured by gunfire during tax protests in Nairobi, a paramedic outside parliament said, as police clashed with hundreds of demonstrators.
Police open fire on demonstrators
Police used tear gas and water cannon and also fired over the heads of demonstrators to disperse crowds, while protesters hurled stones at security forces.
Riot police sealed off the parliament as lawmakers debated the tax bill, and State House, site of the president's office and residence. The parliament approved the measures before adjourning as protesters swarmed outside the building.
The protesters oppose tax rises in a country already reeling from a cost-of-living crisis but many are also calling for President William Ruto to step down.
Protesters call President Ruto to step down
The protesters oppose tax rises in a country already reeling from a cost-of-living crisis but many are also calling for President William Ruto to step down.
Ruto won an election almost two years ago on a platform of championing Kenya's working poor, but has been caught between the competing demands of lenders such as the International Monetary Fund, which is urging the government to cut deficits to access more funding, and a hard-pressed population.
Obama's half-sister hit with tear gas in Kenya protests
Kenyan activist Auma Obama, the half-sister of former US President Barack Obama, was among protesters tear-gassed on Tuesday during demonstrations outside the parliament building in Nairobi, a CNN interview showed.
Police opened fire on demonstrators trying to storm Kenya's legislature on Tuesday, with at least five protesters killed, dozens wounded and sections of the parliament building set ablaze as lawmakers inside passed legislation to raise taxes.
Auma Obama was taken aside in the melee by a CNN reporter and asked why she was there. "I'm here because - look at what's happening. Young Kenyans are demonstrating for their rights. They're demonstrating with flags and banners. I can't even see anymore," she said, beginning to cough and shield her eyes from the spreading smoke. We are being tear-gassed."
A man behind her carried a sign reading, "Colonialism never ended in Kenya," while another yelled, "This is our country. This is our nation."