Kenya’s High Court has sanctioned the deployment of military forces to restore order following days of anti-tax protests that overwhelmed the police. The nationwide demonstrations, primarily driven by young people opposing government tax hikes, have resulted in over 20 reported deaths.
On Thursday, armoured military vehicles patrolled the streets of Nairobi as police used tear gas to disperse protesters, who had threatened to storm the presidential palace. A judge ruled that military intervention was necessary to protect government installations but required the authorities to clarify the deployment’s duration and rules of engagement within two days.
The Law Society of Kenya, which petitioned the court to withdraw the military, said it “respects but disagrees” with the ruling.
President William Ruto, under pressure, announced the withdrawal of the finance bill that included the unpopular tax proposals. This decision came a day after parliament was briefly stormed and set ablaze by protesters.
The finance bill aimed to raise taxes to address Kenya’s debt, as required by lenders like the International Monetary Fund. However, many protesters doubt the president will implement the austerity measures he announced on Wednesday. They are also angered by reports of arbitrary abductions and the killing of at least 23 people, as reported by a doctors’ association, leading to calls for the president’s resignation.
State agents have been accused of abducting hundreds linked to the protests. Many of those released have been left traumatised, according to Faith Odhiambo, president of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK).
The Kenya National Human Rights Commission, a state-funded body, has helped secure the release of over 300 people who had been “illegally detained.” Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua regretted the use of the criminal justice system for political management, and Chief Justice Martha Koome condemned the abductions as a direct assault on the rule of law.
In contrast, Mwaura denied the allegations, claiming that “criminal elements who wanted a coup d’etat” had exploited the peaceful protests.
