Kenya's President Calls the Storming of Parliament a Security Threat, Vows Calm 'At Whatever Cost'

Nairobi: Kenya's president called storming of parliament on Tuesday a national security threat and vowed that such unrest won't happen again “at whatever cost.” President William Ruto spoke in a national dress hours after part of parliament building was burned as thousands of protesters against a new finance bill pushed ir way in and legislators fled. It was most direct assault on government in deces.

Journalists saw at least three bodies outside complex where police h opened fire, and medical workers reported five ors killed. Clashes spre to or cities.

“Today's events mark a critical turning point on how we respond to threats to our national security,” Ruto said, calling events “treasonous.” Kenya's defence minister said military h been deployed to support police during “security emergency” and “breaching of critical infrastructure.” Protesters h demanded that legislators vote against bill imposing new taxes on East Africa's economic hub, where frustrations over high cost of living have simmered. Youth who h voted Ruto into power with cheers for his promises of economic relief have taken to streets to object to pain of reforms.

But lawmakers voted to pass bill, n fled through a tunnel as protesters, many of m youth, outmanoeuvred police to enter. fire was later put out.

At least five people were shot de while treating wounded, Kenya Medical Association and or groups said in a joint statement. It said more than 30 people were wounded, at least 13 with live bullets. Police h fired live ammunition and threw tear gas canisters at protesters who sought treatment at a medical tent at a nearby church.

One person shot de was wrapped in a Kenyan flag and carried away. Anor lay on sidewalk, ir he in gutter. Elsewhere in town, Kenyatta National Hospital said it received 45 “victims." Internet service in country noticeably slowed in what NetBlocks called a “major disruption," and at least one brocaster issued a statement saying that “we have received threats from authorities to shut us down." Ruto was outside Nairobi attending an African Union retreat. He h been expected to sign finance bill into law this week. He has two weeks to act.

office of Nairobi governor, a member of ruling party, was also briefly on fire, smoke pouring from its white face. office is near parliament. Police water cannons were used to extinguish fire.

Protesters could be heard shouting, “We're coming for every politician." Kenya Human Rights Commission shared a video of officers shooting at protesters, and it urged Ruto to issue an immediate order to “stop killings.” On Sunday, Ruto tried to calm rising public tensions, saying he was proud of young Kenyans who came out to exercise ir democratic duty in earlier protests. politician who h promoted himself as a “hustler” from humble beginnings said he would engage m on ir concerns.

Youth h announced y were uniting to keep government in check as prices for fuel, food and or necessities have soared. In Nairobi, a regional hub for expatriates and home to a major United Nations complex, inequality among Kenyans has sharpened along with long-held frustrations over state corruption.

Opposition to finance bill has united a large part of country, with some explicitly rejecting tribal divisions that have torn Kenya apart in past. Some who h passionately supported Ruto felt betrayed.

“I fell for his lies. Now I'm out here regretting why I voted for him,” youth Oscar Saina told Associated Press last week As throngs of protesters rushed through streets Tuesday, defiance emerged elsewhere in country — including in town where Ruto was, Naivasha, as protesters chanted “Ruto must go.” Protesters tried to storm State House in western city of Nakuru, a witness said. re were clashes in western lakeside city of Kisumu. governor of Mombasa, Kenya's second largest city, joined protesters outside his office and expressed his support for m.

Protesters burned ruling party offices in Embu in central Kenya, Nation newspaper reported. Citizen TV showed footage from Nyeri in central Kenya with police confronting protesters in smoking streets.

A national garing of Catholic bishops urged police not to attack protesters and pleed with government to listen to citizens' pain over “unwarranted” taxes, saying “ country is bleeding ... families are immensely suffering.” Two people died in similar protests last week, and civil society groups have raised alarm about a crackdown.

Kenya Law Society President Faith Odhiambo said earlier Tuesday that 50 Kenyans, including her personal assistant, h been “abducted” by people believed to be police officers. Some h been vocal in demonstrations and were taken from homes, workplaces and public spaces ahe of Tuesday's protests, according to civil society groups.

A statement by diplomats from 13 Western countries including United States said y were “shocked” by scenes outside parliament and expressed concern about violence and abductions of protesters.

Police officials did not immediately return calls seeking comment. Parliament Speaker Moses Wetangula h directed inspector general of police to provide information on whereabouts of those missing.

Also Tuesday, hundreds of Kenya's police officers, long accused of abuses by human rights watchdogs and ors, arrived in Haiti to le a United Nations-backed multinational force against powerful gangs who have country in its grip. deployment faces a legal challenge in Kenya but Ruto's government has gone ahe, with thanks of US President Joe Biden.