Kenya’s Ruto unleashes military to crush tax protesters
![President William Ruto](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Ruto.png)
President William Ruto’s government deployed Kenya Defence Forces to join forces with police to crush anti-Finance Bill protesters ahead of his 9:00 p.m. broadcast on Tuesday.
Aden Bare Duale, Mr Ruto’s cabinet secretary for defence and chairperson of the Defence Council, announced the military deployment in a circular dated June 25.
Citing Kenya’s constitution, Mr Duale said, “The Kenya Defence Forces is deployed on June 25, 2024, in support of the National Police Service in response to the security emergency caused by the ongoing violent protests in various parts of the Republic of Kenya resulting in destruction and breaching of critical infrastructure.”
The Kenya Defence Forces comprise the Kenya Army, air force, and navy.
This comes after Kenya police killed at least 10 and injured about 50 on Tuesday as citizens protested the Finance Bill proposing the imposition of tax on cars, phones, bread and other commodities.
Hundreds of angry protesters broke into Kenya’s Parliament on Tuesday, defying police clampdowns and attacks.
Viral videos show City Hall on fire, burning vehicles parked inside Kenyan Supreme Court premises and some protesters vandalising properties in the parliament amid nationwide protests against the Finance Bill.
The U.S., UK, Germany and Canadian governments, in a joint statement, expressed concerns as Kenyan Police opened live rounds on protesters.
Earlier on Tuesday, human rights organisation Amnesty International condemned Mr Ruto’s government for secretly abducting citizens amid nationwide protests against the controversial Finance Bill.
The human rights organisation said, “Twelve abductions have taken place over the last five days, with an alarming surge last night.”
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette
![Katsina State](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/1863B29B-AC06-49E0-ADFA-655BBEC3389A.jpeg)
Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”
![Enugu State logo](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Enugu-State-logo.png)
States
UNICEF, Enugu target one million children for Vitamin A, deworming
Vitamin A has the potential to prevent causes of child mortality by 26 per cent.
![Alcohol/ Drugs/WHO logo](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Untitled-1-446.png)
Health
2.6 million people die annually of alcohol, drug abuse, says WHO
“The death rates due to alcohol consumption per litre of alcohol consumed are highest in low-income countries and lowest in high-income countries.’’
![Mandate Secretary, Women Affairs Secretariat, FCTA, Dr Adedayo Benjamins-Laniyi](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/Widow-1536x1066-1-1200x833.webp)
NationWide
FCTA moves against maltreatment of widows
Mr Adetoyi said that the FCTA would continue to empower and uplift widows to overcome the obstacles they faced.
![Coordinating Head, Corporate Services, Angela Olanrewaju](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/IBEDC-1200x657.webp)
States
IBEDC apologises over outage in Ibadan community, promises temporary solution
Mrs Olanrewaju said that a temporary solution would be provided to restore electricity supply to the area.
![Essien Etop Andrew](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/cbf.png)
NationWide
Tinubu mourns deputy comptroller of customs, Etop Essien
Mr Tinubu described Essien’s passing while on an official assignment as most distressing.
![Police service commission](https://i1.wp.com/gazettengr.com/wp-content/uploads/63CF499F-3AE2-46B1-9B4A-6639D19ABB94.jpeg)
Heading 4
PSC endorses list of successful candidates for police recruitment
The PSC urged successful candidates to ignore antics of desperate groups bent on destroying the commission’s good work