Several deaths reported in clashes between police and tax opponents in Kenya

LONDON – Police reportedly fired live ammunition at anti-government protesters in Kenya’s capital on Tuesday as thousands of people demonstrated against planned tax increases in the East African country.

Mathias Kinyoda, spokesman for Amnesty International in Kenya, told ABC News the death toll in clashes between police and protesters in Nairobi on Tuesday was at least eight, but added it was too early to say for sure.

Pictures and videos are circulating on the Internet that are said to show several demonstrators with gunshot wounds in the Kenyan capital.

The Kenya Human Rights Commission posted a video on social media platform X showing police shooting at protesters marching near Nairobi City Hall. The Human Rights Commission said its staff witnessed at least one protester die in the shooting.

“We condemn the killing by police in the strongest possible terms,” ​​the Kenyan Human Rights Commission wrote in a post on X. “Such actions are unacceptable and constitute a serious violation of human rights. Justice and accountability are imperative. We will vigorously push for the police to be held accountable.”

Dozens of protesters entered the Kenyan Parliament complex, where MPs had just approved a controversial finance bill to increase some taxes. Part of the building was set on fire, forcing MPs to evacuate the building.

Demonstrations also took place across the country, including in Eldoret, the hometown of Kenyan President William Ruto.

At least 12 people have been abducted or forcibly disappeared in connection with the ongoing protests, according to Kenya’s Task Force on Police Reforms. The abductions reportedly occurred over the past five days and increased on Monday. In a statement published on X, Kenya’s Chief Justice Martha Koome said the reports of abductions of protesters were “deeply worrying” and a “direct attack on the rule of law.”

Several prominent Kenyan figures have joined the nationwide demonstrations, including former US President Barack Obama’s half-sister Auma Obama, who was among the protesters in Nairobi on Tuesday. Auma Obama, 64, was with a group of protesters being interviewed by CNN on a live broadcast when they were apparently tear-gassed.

The controversial law aims to raise $2.7 billion to pay down debt and reduce loans, but critics argue that corruption and greed by Kenyan politicians have drained money from the economy and that ordinary people should not pay for it.

Following protests last Tuesday, Ruto’s office announced that changes had been made to the bill “taking into account the views of the public and other stakeholders during public participation sessions.”