What Sparked the President of Kenya to Use Military Force on Protesters?

President William Ruto of Kenya called upon the military to subdue the anti-tax protesters after they forcibly entered and vandalized the country’s parliament this Tuesday. 

This drastic decision was taken based on it, invoking the several sections of the Kenya Defence Forces Act and the Constitution, which allow military deployment in cases of national security threats.

The chaos in Parliament, captured in videos and widespread reports, showed thousands of young protesters demolishing parliamentary property, including flags and furniture. 

The situation escalated rapidly as some protesters set parts of the building on fire, prompting security forces to retaliate. Tragically, the clash resulted in the deaths of five individuals, with several more injured.

President Ruto, addressing the nation hours after the violence, labeled the actions of the protesters as “treasonous” and declared the event a “critical turning point” in the nation’s approach to security threats.

This explosion of public anger has its roots in the passage of a new finance bill that awaits President Ruto’s signature. The bill, which introduces significant tax increases, has sparked widespread protests across Kenya. Citizens, already burdened by a severe cost-of-living crisis, have expressed deep frustration, with many calling for President Ruto’s resignation.

The president, who was elected on a platform of advocating for the working class, now finds himself in a delicate position. He faces pressure from international entities like the International Monetary Fund, which has called for deficit reduction measures as a condition for further financial assistance. 

This comes at a time when Kenyans are struggling with the impacts of the pandemic, ongoing global conflicts, environmental challenges, and economic instability.

Despite the government’s efforts to mitigate backlash by removing proposed taxes on essential goods, the public’s dissatisfaction remains high. 

The finance bill is intended to generate an additional $2.7 billion to help alleviate the national debt, which consumes a significant portion of the government’s annual revenue through interest payments alone.