Kenya protesters storm parliament, set sections on fire

Sections of Kenya’s parliament were on fire on Tuesday as protesters overwhelmed police to storm the compound where lawmakers had just passed a contentious bill that would introduce a raft of new taxes.

At least 50 people were injured by gunfire, a paramedic outside parliament said, as police clashed with hundreds of demonstrators.

In chaotic scenes, protesters overwhelmed police and chased them away in an attempt to storm the parliament compound. Flames could be seen coming from inside.

Police opened fire after tear gas and water cannon failed to disperse the crowds. A Reuters journalist counted the bodies of at least five protesters outside parliament.

“We want to shut down parliament and every MP should go down and resign,” one protestor, Davis Tafari, trying to enter parliament, told Reuters. “We will have a new government.”

Protests and clashes also took place in several other cities and towns across the country.

Parliament approved the finance bill, moving it through to a third reading by lawmakers. The next step is for the legislation to be sent to the president for signing. He can send it back to parliament if he has any objections.

Read:Kenya MPs pass punitive taxes as protesters, police clash

The protesters oppose tax rises in a country already reeling from a cost-of-living crisis, and many are also calling for President William Ruto to step down.