Monday, September 7, 2026

U.S., UK, others concerned as police open fire on Kenyan protesters

Protesters eventually broke into Kenya’s Parliament on Tuesday, defying police clampdowns and attacks.

• June 25, 2024
Protesting Kenyans
Protesting Kenyans [Credit: AL Jazeera]

The U.S., UK, Germany and Canadian governments have expressed concerns as Kenyan Police open live rounds on anti-Finance Bill protesters, killing at least 10 and injuring about 50 on Tuesday.

The U.S., UK, Germany, Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Netherlands, Ireland, Estonia, Sweden, Romania, Belgium, and Finland governments, in a joint statement shared on Facebook by the British High Commission, Kenya, on Tuesday, expressed their deep “concern by allegations of abductions of protestors” amid ongoing nationwide protests against tax hikes.

“As friends and partners to Kenya, we note that Kenya’s constitution guarantees the right to peaceful protest,” the statement reads.

It added, “We are deeply concerned by the violence witnessed in many parts of the country during the recent protests and are especially shocked by the scenes witnessed outside the Kenyan Parliament. We regret the tragic loss of life and injuries sustained, including by the use of live fire.”

The respective governments called “for restraint on all sides, and encourage all leaders to find peaceful solutions through constructive dialogue.”

Citing Vivian Achista, a paramedic, Reuters on Tuesday reported that at least 10 anti-Finance Bill protesters were killed by Kenyan police outside Kenya’s Parliament.

The police had killed a 24-year-old protester on Thursday. The police resorted to live rounds, seeing demonstrators defying water cannons and teargas in protests that broke out last week.

Kenyans hit the streets last Tuesday in vehement opposition to the Finance Bill, which proposes tax imposition on cars, phones, bread, and other commodities.

Protesters eventually broke into Kenya’s Parliament on Tuesday, defying police clampdowns and attacks.

Citizens TV Kenya posted videos of City Hall on fire, burning vehicles parked inside Kenyan Supreme Court premises and some protesters vandalising properties in the parliament amid nationwide protests against the Finance Bill.

Earlier on Tuesday, human rights organisation Amnesty International condemned President William Ruto’s government for secretly abducting citizens amid nationwide protests against the controversial Finance Bill.

The human rights organisation said, “Twelve abductions have taken place over the last five days, with an alarming surge last night.”

We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.

More from Peoples Gazette

farmers

Agriculture

FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology

The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Katsina State

Politics

Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku

“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

collapsed Building in Abuja

Abuja

Building collapses in Abuja, rescue operation underway

Details of the incident are still sketchy as of press time.

President Bola Tinubu

Africa

Tinubu condoles Tanzania president over husband’s death

Mr Hassan passed away after being hospitalised earlier on Monday.

Vladmir Putin

Heading 1

Russia shuts German consulate in St Petersburg over drone row

Germany blamed Russia for an attempted drone attack at Leipzig/Halle Airport on August 4. 

Police officer

States

Suspected motorcycle thief arrested in Jigawa

Mr Dama said the tracing operation successfully generated the geographical coordinates of the motorcycle. 

Audu Bako College of Agriculture

Education

Kano ‌⁠assembly upgrades college to offer science, technology courses

Mr Hussaini said the development would enable the institution seek accreditation from NBTE alongside its existing agricultural programmes.