Tuesday will be remembered as a day of chaos and violence in Kenya. The country’s capital, Nairobi, witnessed a deadly confrontation between protesters and police, resulting in several deaths and dozens of injuries. However, this was not confined to Nairobi alone; protests erupted in 35 counties and 68 towns across Kenya. It all began when lawmakers passed a controversial Finance Bill 2024 introducing new taxes, sparking outrage among the citizens.
Tensions had been building for weeks as the government debated the new tax bill. Many Kenyans felt the taxes would unfairly burden the already struggling population. When news broke that the bill had been passed, it was like a match had been struck in a room full of gasoline.
Under the banner of #TotalShutdown, massive unarmed youth flooded the streets of Nairobi in protest. As they made their way towards parliament, they encountered barricades manned by officers. As the crowds swelled, the situation grew increasingly tense. Protesters, fueled by frustration and desperation, clashed with the police. Tear gas and water cannons were deployed, but the demonstrators were not deterred.
In a wave of determination, they overwhelmed the police, who found themselves outnumbered and retreating.
Amid the chaos, flames erupted within the parliament compound. The sight of the iconic building on fire only intensified the emotions of the crowd. The protesters, many of whom were young and unemployed, saw this as their moment to take a stand.
“We want to shut down parliament and every MP should go down and resign,” shouted Davis Tafari, one of the protestors, his voice hoarse but resolute. His words echoed the sentiment of many who felt betrayed by their leaders.
The situation quickly spiralled out of control. Gunfire rang out, and panic set in. The peaceful protest turned into a deadly confrontation. A paramedic on the scene reported at least 50 people injured by gunfire. Tragically, at least five protesters were killed outside parliament.
The scenes were heartbreaking. Families searching for their loved ones, medics rushing to tend to the injured, and the air filled with the acrid smell of smoke and tear gas. It was a stark reminder of the heavy price paid in the fight for justice and accountability.
Across Kenya, similar scenes of protest and violence played out in various cities and towns. The entire nation seemed to be gripped by a wave of unrest. The anger and frustration were not confined to Nairobi but spread like wildfire, consuming the country.
As the sun set on that fateful Tuesday, Kenya was left to grapple with the aftermath of a day that had started with hope for change but ended in tragedy. The flames had been extinguished, but the embers of anger and dissatisfaction still lingered
As the nation mourns the loss of life and begins to heal, the call for accountability and justice remains louder than ever. The events of that day will not be easily forgotten, and they have left an indelible mark on the hearts of many Kenyans.