On Tuesday June 25, during protests against the controversial Finance Bill, there was a terrible event outside of Parliament.
CNN reporter Larry Madowo said that Kenyan police shot and killed at least three protesters. Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya, 25, was named as one of the victims.
Mutisya was seen dancing in white overalls, according to Madowo, before shots were fired and killed him.
After the Finance Bill, which calls for big tax hikes, was passed, there were protests. Real bullets and tear gas were used by police to try to break up the crowds of protesters who had broken into Parliament.
People and human rights groups were outraged by the scenes of chaos, which killed several people.
Many people were seen lying in pools of blood outside of Parliament, according to witnesses. A truck parked close and a part of the Parliament complex were also set on fire during the mayhem.
More than ten people were rushed to hospitals with serious injuries, which showed how bad the situation was according to eyewitness reports.
It wasn't just Nairobi where people were protesting. Across the country, in cities like Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret, and Nyeri, there were similar protests. Because of the fighting between security forces and protesters who were adamantly against the planned tax hikes, businesses closed and transportation was halted.
Lawyers and human rights groups have strongly criticized the police's use of live ammunition, as well as their illegal arrests of activists and use of excessive force. Support for the protesters came from people around the world, such as Bobi Wine, the leader of Uganda's resistance, and Julius Malema, a politician from South Africa.
Though the government made some adjustments, like getting rid of taxes on bread, cooking oil, and owning a car, the protests didn't stop and people still wanted the Finance Bill to be thrown out completely. Speaking about the unrest, President William Ruto said he would hold talks to address the protesters' worries.
People like Ericsson Kyalo Mutisya and others died in terrible accidents. This shows how strongly people are against the Finance Bill and makes us wonder how the government handles peaceful protests and widespread trouble.
https://x.com/LarryMadowo/status/1807699601291415678?t=HeeCT4HrGFbPjWJ9Zkmb1g&s=19