Parliament Building Burned And Five Dead, Kenyan President Ruto Condemns Financial Bill Protests

Protests about the new Fiscal Bill in Kenya. (Twitter/@AmnestyKenya)

Kenyan President William Ruto condemned Tuesday's protests that caused parliament to be stormed and at least five people were shot dead as "traisals", but did not respond to growing anger against the controversial financial bill that sparked widespread demonstrations.

Kenya was hit by national protests against a proposed tax increase, culminating in the country's "total closure" on Tuesday, which quickly turned violent as police used tear gas and live ammunition against demonstrators.

The controversial financial bill has sparked widespread protest movements vowing to "7 Days of Anger."

Last week, the government canceled several tax increases, including a 16 percent value added tax proposed for bread along with taxes on motorized vehicles, vegetable oils, and money transfers via cell phones. However, the concession was not sufficient to ease protests amid rising cost of living.

In a national speech after the parliament building was burned down, President Ruto said Tuesday's events pose a serious threat to "national security" and talks surrounding the bill have been "hit by dangerous people."

"It is inappropriate, or even unreasonable, that criminals who pretend to be peaceful protesters can spread terror against the people, representatives of the people they choose, and institutions founded under our Constitution and hope to be free without punishment," said President Ruto, quoted by CNN June 26.

President Ruto underlined that the expressions of democracy and crime must be separated from one another.

Meanwhile, Kenya's Ministry of Defense said the military had been deployed to support police services.

At least five people were shot dead and about 31 people injured during protests over the Draft Finance Law which was held yesterday.

Of these, 13 people were hit by live ammunition, four were hit by rubber bullets, and three were hit by launch tubes, according to a joint statement by Amnesty International Kenya, the Kenyan Medical Association, the Kenyan Legal Society, and the Kenyan Police Reform Working Group.

Separately, the United Nations Secretary-General called on Kenyan police and security forces to "restrict", his spokesman Stephane Dujarric said on Tuesday, adding he was "deeply concerned about the reports of violence we have seen."

Meanwhile, the African Union Commission called on all stakeholders to refrain from further violence. A statement from the agency said the chairman of the commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, urged "all stakeholders to remain calm and refrain from further violence."

He also appealed to national stakeholders to engage in constructive dialogue to address controversial issues that caused protests in Kenya's highest interest.