In a dramatic escalation of civil unrest, protesters stormed the Kenyan parliament on Tuesday forcing lawmakers to flee amid widespread anger over new tax laws.
The demonstrators, incensed by the controversial legislation, encircled the parliamentary grounds and attacked a car belonging to a member of parliament attempting to escape. Video footage shared online shows the vehicle being assaulted by the enraged crowd.
The turmoil erupted following a parliamentary vote to pass a bill imposing new taxes on Kenya, East Africa’s economic hub. Masses of demonstrators flooded the streets, demanding the rejection of the legislation aimed at increasing government revenue.
“We have had enough of these greedy politicians passing laws that make life even harder for ordinary Kenyans,” said protester James Ouma. “Prices for food, fuel, and other essentials have been skyrocketing, and these new taxes will only worsen the situation.”
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Frustrations over Kenya’s high cost of living have been building for years, with many citizens blaming government corruption and economic mismanagement. Monday’s assault on parliament signifies a significant escalation, as citizens bring their grievances directly to the seat of political power.
“This is an unprecedented situation and a real threat to democracy in Kenya,” said political analyst Amina Abdallah. “The government needs to listen to the concerns of the people and find ways to ease the burden on households, rather than resorting to unpopular tax hikes.”