Wednesday Briefing: Major Protests in Nairobi

A tear gas canister exploded as protesters tried to help injured people outside Kenya’s Parliament.Credit…Luis Tato/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

Major protests rocked Kenya

Kenya’s president, William Ruto, deployed the military yesterday to crack down on what he called “treasonous” protesters, after demonstrators furious over the passage of a package of tax increases stormed the Parliament building in the capital, Nairobi, climbed in windows and set fire to the entrance.

The police fired tear gas and guns. At least five people were reported dead from gunshot wounds, and more than 30 others were wounded, according to a joint statement by Amnesty International and several Kenyan civic organizations. The numbers could not be independently confirmed.

Here is the latest.

Kenyans have widely criticized the bill, saying it would drive up the cost of living for millions. But the government has argued that the legislation was crucial to secure revenue for important initiatives.

What’s next: Ruto now has two weeks to sign the legislation into law or send it back to Parliament for revisions.

Other protests: The demonstrations seemed to be spreading beyond Nairobi, as protesters blocked streets with burning tires in Nakuru, a city some 100 miles from the capital. Last week, at least one person was killed and 200 others were injured across the country, Amnesty International said.

Photos: Here’s what it looks like on the ground.