Nairobi, 26 June 2024– A group of protesters allegedly set fire to part of Kenya's Parliament building on Tuesday, June 25, in a dramatic escalation of ongoing demonstrations against a recently passed fiscal bill that includes tax hikes. The incident, which took place in the capital, Nairobi, has resulted in multiple injuries and fatalities, according to reports from British media outlet BBC.

For several days, Kenya has been engulfed in protests as citizens express their outrage over the new fiscal measures. The situation reached a boiling point when the bill was passed by Parliament on Tuesday, prompting an intensified response from the demonstrators. Protesters breached the Parliament premises, setting a portion of the building ablaze and removing the national flag.

In an effort to disperse the increasingly violent crowd, riot police were deployed and used live ammunition. Reports indicate that several people were shot during the confrontation, with at least 50 individuals injured in the chaos.

A local human rights organization has reported witnessing the deaths of four protesters due to gunshot wounds. Additionally, the organization confirmed the death of one more individual, although the exact cause of this fatality has not yet been determined.

The protests reflect widespread public dissatisfaction with the government's fiscal policies, which many argue disproportionately affect the poor and middle class. The situation remains tense as authorities and demonstrators continue to clash in the streets of Nairobi.