Kenya deploys military amid violent protests over Finance Bill

A section of Parliament building in Nairobi on fire during anti-Finance Bill protests on June 25. [Collins Oduor, Standard]

Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has gazetted the deployment of Kenya Defence Forces to aid the police amid ongoing countrywide anti-Finance Bill protests.

In a gazette notice on Tuesday, June 25, Duale said, "Pursuant to Article 241(3)(b) of the Constitution of Kenya, as read with sections 31(1)(a), 31(1)(c), 33(1), 34(1), and 34(2) of the Kenya Defence Forces Act (Cap. 199), the Kenya Defence Forces were deployed on June 24, 2024, to support the National Police Service in response to the security emergency.”

Duale noted that the decision was prompted by the violent protests ongoing in various parts of the country, which have led to the destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure.

Hundreds of Anti-Finance Bill protesters entered Parliament on Tuesday afternoon, hours after police shot several demonstrators outside the premises.

Rioters also set fire to several vehicles belonging to the police as tension escalated around the city.

At least 10 people reportedly died when police opened fire on protesters outside Parliament in Nairobi.

Chaotic scenes unfolded with live bullets and tear gas shortly after Members of Parliament approved the bill.

Several protesters sustained serious bullet wounds during the violent confrontations, with ambulances seen picking up casualties at the scene.