Amid heavy police presence, Kenya starts clearing debris after protests

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NAIROBI, Kenya, June 26, (AP): Kenyans woke up to the acrid smell of tear gas still lingering in the capital on Wednesday, a day after protesters stormed parliament and burned part of the building over a controversial tax plan.
As the day began, there were no reports of violence, but more protests were expected in coming days. Police and soldiers patrolled the streets as city workers began cleaning up debris. Parliament, the city hall and the supreme court were cordoned off with tape reading “Crime Scene Do Not Enter.”
The military was deployed overnight to support police as President William Ruto called the events treasonous and vowed to quash the unrest “at whatever cost.”
Kenya has been rocked by massive protests for over a week in opposition to a proposed finance bill that would raise taxes as frustrations over the cost of living are simmering. Many young people who helped vote Ruto into power with cheers for his promises of economic relief have taken to the streets to object to the pain of reforms.
Thousands of protesters stormed Kenya’s parliament Tuesday, burning parts of the building while legislators fled. Police responded with gunfire and journalists counted three bodies at the gates of parliament.
The Kenya Human Rights Commission, a non-government organization, said that at least 22 people have died. The commission chairperson, Roseline Odede, told journalists that 300 people were injured in the protests and 50 people were arrested.

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