Tense Situation in Kenya After Violent Protests

A tense atmosphere gripped major cities throughout Kenya as aftermath of violent protests unfolded on Wednesday. The unrest came after demonstrators, opposing new tax hikes, rampaged through Parliament, setting parts of the building ablaze. President William Ruto warned that these actions posed a severe threat to the country and authorized the deployment of the military.

In Nairobi, the capital city, remnants of the clashes between protesters and police lingered in the form of tear gas fumes that tainted the air. Streets near City Hall bore evidence of the chaos with large rocks and a burnt-out car left behind by the protesters. The Supreme Court complex opposite suffered damage with its entrance fence destroyed.

Security forces maintained a strong presence around Parliament, restricting pedestrian movement in the area. While businesses were gradually resuming operations, newspapers on Nairobi streets highlighted the turmoil of the previous day. Headlines such as “Pandemonium” from the Daily Nation and “Deaths, chaos, rage” from The Star captured the gravity of the situation.

Amnesty International and Kenyan civic organizations reported at least five fatalities and 31 injuries during the protests. However, the exact numbers remained unverified, and there were concerns that the actual toll might be higher. Social media flooded with appeals for information on missing individuals last seen during the demonstrations on Tuesday.